# Laravel Helpers

These helpers improve the ergonomics of your API resource definitions when using the Laravel framework.

## Validation

### `rules`

Use Laravel's [Validation component](https://laravel.com/docs/8.x/validation) as a [field validator](writing.md#validation).

```php
use Tobyz\JsonApiServer\Laravel;

$type->attribute('name')
    ->validate(Laravel\rules(['required', 'min:3', 'max:20']));
```

Pass a string or array of validation rules to be applied to the value. Validating array contents is also supported:

```php
$type->attribute('jobs')
    ->validate(Laravel\rules([
        'required', 'array',
        '*' => ['string', 'min:3', 'max:255']
    ]));
```

You can also pass an array of custom messages and custom attribute names as the second and third arguments.

## Authentication

### `authenticated`

A shortcut to call `Auth::check()`.

```php
$type->creatable(Laravel\authenticated());
```

### `can`

Use Laravel's [Gate component](https://laravel.com/docs/8.x/authorization) to check if the given ability is allowed. If this is used in the context of a model (eg. `updatable`, `deletable`, or on a field), then the model will be passed to the gate check as well. 

```php
$type->updatable(Laravel\can('update-post'));
```