Laravel #\[Refreshes\]: Load Generated Columns After Save | Mohamed Said [Skip to content](#main) [ ![](https://cdn.msaied.com/01KT78WE565VEMM3PSNQAAB0MH.png) Mohamed SaidLaravel Backend Engineer ](https://www.msaied.com/public) - [Home](https://www.msaied.com/public) - [Projects](https://www.msaied.com/public/projects) - [Articles](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles) - [Certificates](https://www.msaied.com/public/certificates) - [About](https://www.msaied.com/public#about) [ Contact](https://www.msaied.com/public#contact) Menu Menu ---- Close - [HomeStart here](https://www.msaied.com/public) - [ProjectsCase studies](https://www.msaied.com/public/projects) - [ArticlesEngineering notes](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles) - [CertificatesCredentials](https://www.msaied.com/public/certificates) - [AboutHow I work](https://www.msaied.com/public#about) - [ContactGet in touch](https://www.msaied.com/public#contact) [Start a conversation](https://www.msaied.com/public#contact) [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/201094619204) [Email](mailto:hello@msaied.com) 1. [Home](https://www.msaied.com/public) 2. / 3. [Articles](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles) 4. / 5. [Laravel](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?category=laravel) 6. / 7. Auto-Load Generated Columns After Save with Laravel's #\[Refreshes\] Attribute [Laravel](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?category=laravel) [Tips & Tricks](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?category=tips-tricks) Auto-Load Generated Columns After Save with Laravel's #\[Refreshes\] Attribute =============================================================================== Laravel 13.33 introduced the #\[Refreshes\] PHP attribute for Eloquent models. Declare which database-computed columns to reload and Eloquent fetches them automatically after every insert or update. ![](https://cdn.msaied.com/01M22N44A70A5MC2S599JP0MPH.webp) [Mohamed Said](https://www.msaied.com/public#person) Published 23 Sep 2026 · Updated 24 Sep 2026 · 4 min read ShareCopy linkCopied ![Auto-Load Generated Columns After Save with Laravel's #[Refreshes] Attribute](https://cdn.msaied.com/697/2450936023128760d64547a61ee24087.png) 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) 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)* - [Laravel](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?search=Laravel) - [Eloquent](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?search=Eloquent) - [Generated Columns](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?search=Generated%20Columns) - [Laravel 13](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?search=Laravel%2013) - [PHP Attributes](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles?search=PHP%20Attributes) Frequently asked questions --------------------------- 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. 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. 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. ![Mohamed Said](https://cdn.msaied.com/01M22N44A70A5MC2S599JP0MPH.webp)About the author ---------------- [Mohamed Said](https://www.msaied.com/public#person)Senior Backend Engineer specializing in Laravel, scalable SaaS platforms, APIs, and cloud infrastructure. I build secure, high-performance web applications that help businesses grow. [About](https://www.msaied.com/public#about) [GitHub ↗](https://github.com/EG-Mohamed) [LinkedIn ↗](https://www.linkedin.com/in/msaiedm/) [WhatsApp ↗](https://wa.me/201094619204) [Email Address ↗](mailto:hello@msaied.com) [My CV ↗](https://drive.google.com/file/u/0/d/1MF20IPRJyzfy32mhEutjL5EpSls0w2Q8/view) [Previous articleLaravel AI SDK 1.0: Classification, Tool Approvals, and Vercel Chat Streaming](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles/laravel-ai-sdk-10-classification-tool-approvals-and-vercel-chat-streaming) [Next articleJetBrains Air: Run AI Coding Agents Directly in JetBrains IDEs](https://www.msaied.com/public/articles/jetbrains-air-run-ai-coding-agents-directly-in-jetbrains-ides) 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) ### Have a technical challenge? Tell me what you’re building. I reply within two working days. 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