## Laravel 12

- Use the ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___search-docs___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ tool to get version specific documentation.
@if (file_exists(base_path('app/Http/Kernel.php')))
- This project upgraded from Laravel 10 without migrating to the new streamlined Laravel file structure.
- This is **perfectly fine** and recommended by Laravel. Follow the existing structure from Laravel 10. We do not to need migrate to the new Laravel structure unless the user explicitly requests that.

### Laravel 10 Structure
- Middleware typically lives in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Http/Middleware/___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ and service providers in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Providers/___SINGLE_BACKTICK___.
- There is no ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___bootstrap/app.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ application configuration in a Laravel 10 structure:
    - Middleware registration happens in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Http/Kernel.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___
    - Exception handling is in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Exceptions/Handler.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___
    - Console commands and schedule register in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Console/Kernel.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___
    - Rate limits likely exist in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___RouteServiceProvider___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ or ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Http/Kernel.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___
@else
- Since Laravel 11, Laravel has a new streamlined file structure which this project uses.

### Laravel 12 Structure
- No middleware files in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Http/Middleware/___SINGLE_BACKTICK___.
- ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___bootstrap/app.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ is the file to register middleware, exceptions, and routing files.
- ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___bootstrap/providers.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ contains application specific service providers.
- **No app\Console\Kernel.php** - use ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___bootstrap/app.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ or ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___routes/console.php___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ for console configuration.
- **Commands auto-register** - files in ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___app/Console/Commands/___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ are automatically available and do not require manual registration.
@endif

### Database
- When modifying a column, the migration must include all of the attributes that were previously defined on the column. Otherwise, they will be dropped and lost.
- Laravel 11 allows limiting eagerly loaded records natively, without external packages: ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___$query->latest()->limit(10);___SINGLE_BACKTICK___.

### Models
- Casts can and likely should be set in a ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___casts()___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ method on a model rather than the ___SINGLE_BACKTICK___$casts___SINGLE_BACKTICK___ property. Follow existing conventions from other models.