---
title: "Per-model schemas — Attributes for Laravel | Roundly"
description: "Declare attribute definitions on the model itself — as a property or a method — merged over global definitions for that model only."
url: https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/attributes-for-laravel/per-model-schemas
language: en
---

[All packages](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source.md)

[Attributes for Laravel](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/attributes-for-laravel.md)

# Per-model schemas

A model can declare its own definitions, merged over the global ones for that model only. Declare a $attributeDefinitions property:

```php
class Product extends Model implements HasAttributesContract
{
    use HasAttributes;

    /** @var array<string, array<string, mixed>> */
    protected array $attributeDefinitions = [
        'rating'  => ['type' => 'integer', 'rules' => ['min:1', 'max:5'], 'required' => true],
        'sku'     => ['type' => 'string', 'unique' => 'global'],
        'token'   => ['type' => 'string', 'encrypted' => true],
        'retries' => ['type' => 'integer', 'default' => 3],
    ];
}
```

…or a public attributeDefinitions() method, handy when the schema is computed:

```php
class Ticket extends Model implements HasAttributesContract
{
    use HasAttributes;

    /**
     * @return array<string, array<string, mixed>>
     */
    public function attributeDefinitions(): array
    {
        return [
            'priority'     => ['type' => 'integer', 'rules' => ['min:1', 'max:4'], 'required' => true],
            'escalated_at' => ['type' => 'datetime'],
            'channel'      => ['type' => 'string', 'default' => 'email'],
        ];
    }
}
```

## How schemas merge

```php
Attributes::define(new AttributeDefinitionData('retries', AttributeType::Integer, default: 99));

$product->attributeInt('retries'); // 3  — Product declares its own default
$order->attributeInt('retries');   // 99 — Order falls back to the global definition

Attributes::definitionsFor($product); // global definitions overlaid by Product's own
```

- A model-declared definition overrides a same-named global definition — for that model only; other models keep the global one.
- Entries use the same keys as the definitions config: type, rules, required, default, unique and encrypted.
- When a model declares both, the method wins over the property.
- They are parsed exactly like the config entries, so a non-array entry or a typo’d key throws InvalidConfigurationException naming App\\Models\\Product::attributeDefinitions.<name>.<key>.
- Strict mode, validation, the stored type, encryption, uniqueness, defaults and validateAttributes() all honour the model’s schema.

## Show your open-source love

This package is free and MIT-licensed. If it saves you time, a one-off donation or a Patreon membership keeps it maintained, tested and documented.

[More ways to support, including crypto](https://roundly-consulting.com/support-us.md)

By donating, you agree to our [donation terms](https://roundly-consulting.com/donation-terms.md).

[Support our open source work (opens in a new tab)](https://donate.stripe.com/dRmeVe8FX5PF1Qd9pXcEw00) [Join us on Patreon (opens in a new tab)](https://www.patreon.com/cw/roundly)

## Want this built into your product?

We integrate our packages into custom Laravel and AI builds. Tell us what you're working on and we'll reply within 48 hours.

[Get a quote in 48 hours](https://roundly-consulting.com/contact.md) [Browse all packages](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/attributes-for-laravel.md)