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applyTo: "**/*.php"

Laravel Copilot Instructions: Requests, Policies and Eloquent

Path-specific Copilot instructions for Laravel. They apply through applyTo and leave .github/copilot-instructions.md in place.

Updated for Laravel 13, Nov 2026

Do not upgrade dependencies or the framework version unless the task asks.

Laravel 13 requires PHP 8.3 through 8.5. Read composer.json and stay inside that range. Do not add a package that only supports an older PHP, and do not bump Laravel unless the task asks. Use the app's existing structure: controllers, Form Requests, policies, and jobs.

Project shape

A controller method authorizes, takes a Form Request, and calls an action or a model. Validation does not live in the controller as a hand-rolled if. A Form Request owns the rules and authorize when that is the local pattern. Policies own model authorization. Do not duplicate the same check as a gate, a policy, and an inline if that can drift.

Eloquent

List the fillable or guarded fields. $request->all() passed to create or update is mass assignment. Pass $request->validated().

A list page eager-loads the relations it displays. A loop that queries is an N+1. Paginate. A global scope that hides rows is documented, because it also hides them from jobs.

Jobs and errors

A job that retries is idempotent. The database write uses a unique key or a transaction so a second run does not double-charge. SerializesModels already stores the model identifier and reloads the row when the job runs. Passing the model is the normal shape. Do not rewrite it into a hand-rolled id unless the job must not use that trait.

Exceptions render through the project's handler. Do not dd() or return a stack to the user. Log the context without the password or the token.

Security and tests

Every state-changing route has middleware and a policy. A route missing auth is a review. CSRF stays on for session forms. On Laravel 13 the middleware class is PreventRequestForgery. ValidateCsrfToken and VerifyCsrfToken are deprecated aliases. Do not generate the aliases. Do not disable the middleware for a web route to make a test pass.

Feature tests hit the endpoint as a guest, as the wrong user, and as the owner. Assert the status and the database. Run php artisan test or the project's Pest command for the file you touched. Record the output.

Mistakes to avoid

• $request->all() into create.
• A missing policy on a new write.
• An N+1 on a list.
• A job that is not safe to run twice.
• A package that does not support the project's PHP.

What changed in this major

Laravel 13 runs on PHP 8.3 through 8.5. CSRF middleware is PreventRequestForgery.

Deprecated APIs to never generate

ValidateCsrfToken and VerifyCsrfToken are deprecated aliases of PreventRequestForgery. Generate PreventRequestForgery.

Commands

Run php artisan test for the file you changed.

Example

Note::create($request->validated());

Agent tooling

Laravel Boost (composer require laravel/boost --dev, then php artisan boost:install) installs guidelines and an MCP server. It edits only its own block in an existing AGENTS.md. See https://laravel.com/docs/13.x/boost .