Laravel #\[Refreshes\]: Load Generated Columns After Save | Mohamed Said [ ![Mohamed Said](https://cdn.msaied.com/01KT78WE565VEMM3PSNQAAB0MH.png) Mohamed Said Laravel Backend Engineer ](https://msaied.com) [ Home ](https://msaied.com) [ Projects ](https://msaied.com/projects) [ Articles ](https://msaied.com/articles) [ Certificates ](https://msaied.com/certificates) [ Contact ](https://msaied.com#contact-section) [ ](https://github.com/EG-Mohamed) [ Home ](https://msaied.com) [ Projects ](https://msaied.com/projects) [ Articles ](https://msaied.com/articles) [ Certificates ](https://msaied.com/certificates) [ Contact ](https://msaied.com#contact-section) [ home ](https://msaied.com) [ articles ](https://msaied.com/articles) Auto-Load Generated Columns After Save with Laravel's #\[Refreshes\] Attribute On this page 1. [ The Problem: Stale Models After a Write ](#the-problem-stale-models-after-a-write) 2. [ The Fix: #\[Refreshes\] in Laravel 13.33 ](#the-fix-refreshes-in-laravel-1333) 3. [ Multiple Columns ](#multiple-columns) 4. [ Property-Based Configuration ](#property-based-configuration) 5. [ Generated Values in Model Events ](#generated-values-in-model-events) 6. [ Which Write Methods Trigger a Refresh ](#which-write-methods-trigger-a-refresh) 7. [ How the Refresh Query Works ](#how-the-refresh-query-works) 8. [ \#\[Refreshes\] vs. refresh() ](#refreshes-vs-refresh) 9. [ Key Takeaways ](#key-takeaways) ![Auto-Load Generated Columns After Save with Laravel's #[Refreshes] Attribute](https://cdn.msaied.com/697/2450936023128760d64547a61ee24087.png) [ Laravel ](https://msaied.com/articles?category=laravel) [ Tips & Tricks ](https://msaied.com/articles?category=tips-tricks) #Laravel #Eloquent #Generated Columns #Laravel 13 #PHP Attributes Auto-Load Generated Columns After Save with Laravel's #\[Refreshes\] Attribute ================================================================================ 23 Sep 2026 4 min read ![Mohamed Said](https://cdn.msaied.com/01M22N44A70A5MC2S599JP0MPH.webp) Mohamed Said Table of contents 9 sections 1. [ 01 The Problem: Stale Models After a Write ](#the-problem-stale-models-after-a-write) 2. [ 02 The Fix: #\[Refreshes\] in Laravel 13.33 ](#the-fix-refreshes-in-laravel-1333) 3. [ 03 Multiple Columns ](#multiple-columns) 4. [ 04 Property-Based Configuration ](#property-based-configuration) 5. [ 05 Generated Values in Model Events ](#generated-values-in-model-events) 6. [ 06 Which Write Methods Trigger a Refresh ](#which-write-methods-trigger-a-refresh) 7. [ 07 How the Refresh Query Works ](#how-the-refresh-query-works) 8. [ 08 #\[Refreshes\] vs. refresh() ](#refreshes-vs-refresh) 9. [ 09 Key Takeaways ](#key-takeaways) The Problem: Stale Models After a Write --------------------------------------- When your database schema uses generated columns — columns whose value the database engine computes from other columns — Eloquent does not know about the result after a write. You get `null` on a freshly created model, and a stale value after an update. Consider an `orders` table where `total` is a stored generated column: ```php Schema::create('orders', function (Blueprint $table) { $table->id(); $table->decimal('subtotal', 10, 2); $table->decimal('tax', 10, 2); $table->decimal('total', 10, 2)->storedAs('subtotal + tax'); $table->timestamps(); }); ``` Before Laravel 13.33, reading `total` right after a write returned nothing useful: ```php $order = Order::create(['subtotal' => 100, 'tax' => 8.25]); $order->total; // null $order->update(['tax' => 9.00]); $order->total; // still null ``` The only workaround was calling `$order->refresh()` manually after each write, which reloads every column and every loaded relationship — more work than you usually need. The Fix: #\[Refreshes\] in Laravel 13.33 ---------------------------------------- Laravel 13.33 ships the `#[Refreshes]` PHP attribute (contributed by Caleb White in PR #61523). Add it to your model and list the columns the database computes: ```php use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Attributes\Refreshes; use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model; #[Refreshes('total')] class Order extends Model { protected $fillable = ['subtotal', 'tax']; } ``` After each insert or update, Eloquent runs a targeted `SELECT` for those columns and copies the values onto the model instance: ```php $order = Order::create(['subtotal' => 100, 'tax' => 8.25]); $order->total; // "108.25" $order->update(['tax' => 9.00]); $order->total; // "109.00" ``` ### Multiple Columns Pass an array or several arguments — both forms are equivalent: ```php #[Refreshes(['total', 'slug'])] #[Refreshes('total', 'slug')] ``` ### Property-Based Configuration If you prefer model properties over PHP attributes, use `$refreshes` instead: ```php class Order extends Model { protected array $refreshes = ['total']; } ``` When both are present, the property wins and the attribute is ignored. A model with neither runs no extra query. Generated Values in Model Events -------------------------------- The refresh runs **after** the `INSERT` or `UPDATE` but **before** Eloquent fires `created` or `updated`. Observers and listeners therefore see the database-computed value immediately: ```php class OrderObserver { public function created(Order $order): void { Mail::to($order->customer)->send(new OrderReceipt($order)); } public function updated(Order $order): void { if ($order->wasChanged('total')) { $order->customer->notify(new OrderTotalChanged($order)); } } } ``` The `wasChanged('total')` check works because Eloquent records the change after the refresh, even though your application code never set `total` directly. Which Write Methods Trigger a Refresh ------------------------------------- - **Inserts:** `create()`, `save()`, `saveQuietly()`, `saveOrIgnore()` - **Updates:** `update()`, `save()`, `saveQuietly()` - **Increment/decrement:** `increment()`, `decrement()`, `incrementEach()`, `decrementEach()` How the Refresh Query Works --------------------------- Eloquent issues a single `SELECT` scoped to the model's primary key: ```sql select `total` from `orders` where `id` = ? limit 1 ``` A few important details: - The query runs on the **write connection**, so read-replica lag is not a concern. - Global scopes (soft deletes, tenant scopes) are **skipped**, so the row is always found. - It uses `firstOrFail()` — if the row has been deleted between the write and the refresh, a `ModelNotFoundException` is thrown. \#\[Refreshes\] vs. refresh() ----------------------------- | Scenario | Use | |---|---| | Always need a generated column after every write | `#[Refreshes]` | | Need the full row or relationships reloaded | `$model->refresh()` | | One-off write where adding the attribute would penalise every other save | `$model->refresh()` | Key Takeaways ------------- - `#[Refreshes]` was introduced in Laravel 13.33 and eliminates the need to call `refresh()` just to read database-generated column values. - It adds exactly one `SELECT` per write, limited to the columns you list. - Model events (`created`, `updated`) fire after the refresh, so listeners always see the computed value. - The `$refreshes` property alternative is available for teams that avoid PHP attributes on models. - Use `$model->refresh()` when you need the entire row or loaded relationships reloaded. --- *Source: [Eloquent Refreshes: Load Generated Columns After Save — Laravel News](https://laravel-news.com/eloquent-refreshes-attribute)* Found this useful? [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmsaied.com%2Farticles%2Fauto-load-generated-columns-after-save-with-laravels-refreshes-attribute&text=Auto-Load+Generated+Columns+After+Save+with+Laravel%27s+%23%5BRefreshes%5D+Attribute) [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmsaied.com%2Farticles%2Fauto-load-generated-columns-after-save-with-laravels-refreshes-attribute) Frequently Asked Questions ---------------------------- 3 questions Q01 Does #\[Refreshes\] work with virtual (non-stored) generated columns? Yes. The attribute is designed for any column whose value the database sets, including both stored (`storedAs`) and virtual (`virtualAs`) generated columns, as well as values set by database triggers or defaults that Eloquent does not manage. Q02 Will #\[Refreshes\] cause problems when using read replicas? The refresh query runs on the write connection, not a read replica, so replication lag does not affect it. The query always targets the server where the row was just written. Q03 What happens if I declare both the #\[Refreshes\] attribute and the $refreshes property on the same model? The $refreshes property takes precedence and the PHP attribute is ignored. A model with neither defined runs no extra query after writes. 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