Model Usage

Create and save a record

use Modules\Blog\Models\Post;

$post = model(Post::class)
    ->create()
    ->fill([
        'title' => 'Quantum 3.0',
        'slug' => 'quantum-3',
        'body' => 'Package notes',
        'author_id' => 7,
    ]);

$post->save();

What happens here:

1. create() starts a new record context and clears current attributes.
2. fill() applies only allowed fields.
3. save() copies attributes into the ORM.
4. If the adapter generated a primary key, the model receives it back after save.
5. If HasTimestamps is used, updated_at is refreshed on every save, while created_at is filled on the first save unless you already set it.

Query records with a builder

$posts = model(Post::class)
    ->criteria('status', '=', 'published')
    ->orderBy('created_at', 'desc')
    ->limit(10)
    ->get();

This returns a ModelCollection, not a plain array.

Useful collection methods:

• all()
• count()
• first()
• last()
• isEmpty()

Use a fresh model instance for unrelated queries to avoid carrying accidental query state.

Prefer a fresh model for unrelated queries

DbModel query methods mutate the current model instance.

That means this pattern is safer:

$published = model(Post::class)
    ->criteria('status', '=', 'published')
    ->get();

$drafts = model(Post::class)
    ->criteria('status', '=', 'draft')
    ->get();

Instead of continuing to reuse one already-filtered model instance across unrelated queries.

Define and use joins through relations()

use Quantum\Database\Enums\Relation;

class Post extends DbModel
{
    public function relations(): array
    {
        return [
            User::class => [
                'type' => Relation::BELONGS_TO,
                'foreign_key' => 'author_id',
                'local_key' => 'id',
            ],
        ];
    }
}

Then query with:

$posts = model(Post::class)
    ->joinTo(model(User::class))
    ->select('posts.*')
    ->get();

Keep relation definitions explicit. Include type, foreign_key, and local_key for each joined model.

Paginate model queries

$paginator = model(Post::class)
    ->criteria('status', '=', 'published')
    ->paginate(15, 2);

$items = $paginator->data();
$total = $paginator->total();

The paginator clones the model and ORM for the total-count query so total calculation does not mutate the live query before page data is fetched.

Use soft deletes

$post = model(Post::class)->findOne(10);
$post?->delete();

$active = model(Post::class)->get();
$all = model(Post::class)->withTrashed()->get();
$trashed = model(Post::class)->onlyTrashed()->get();

Behavior to remember:

• delete() becomes a soft delete when the trait is used
• forceDelete() performs the real delete
• restore() clears the deleted-at value
• withTrashed() changes later reads on that same model instance
• Reusing one soft-delete builder across several reads keeps the accumulated scope on that builder, so a fresh model instance is the cleanest start for each query

Use plain models for non-database payloads

use Quantum\Model\Model;

class PublishPayload extends Model
{
    protected array $fillable = ['title', 'slug'];
    public array $hidden = ['slug'];
}

$payload = (new PublishPayload())->fill([
    'title' => 'Hello',
    'slug' => 'hello',
]);

$data = $payload->asArray();

Here asArray() returns only visible fields, while slug is still stored on the object.

Common caveats

• new Post() does not attach an ORM instance by itself.
• fill() rejects unknown fields instead of ignoring them.
• Direct assignment bypasses fillable rules.
• create() clears existing attributes.
• Soft-delete inclusion flags stay on the current model instance until you discard it.
• A fresh builder is the simplest way to avoid carrying earlier soft-delete scope into later reads.