There are multiple ways to extend or modify theRequest object in Laravel. I'd like to show you a method, which in my opinion is the cleanest one.

Macro

You may already know about themacro method. It's the most obvious way to introduce new methods to theRequest object but it has some downsides.

Request::macro('project',function(){return$this->user();});

This solution is simple but it has some flaws:

• You cannot override or change existing methods.
• It's not obvious where these new methods are coming from.
• No IDE autocompletion.

Custom Request Object

I like creating my ownRequest object.

<?phpnamespaceApp\Http;useIlluminate\Http\RequestasLaravelRequest;classRequestextendsLaravelRequest{/**     * Get the team making the request.     *     * @param  string|null  $guard     * @return mixed     */publicfunctionteam($guard=null){return$this->user($guard);}}

It's simple, clean and straightforward. Much better than introducing new methods via "macros".

Now, we need to instruct Laravel to use this new custom class as a base.

Simply override thehandle method in ourApp\Http\Kernel class to use your customRequest object.

<?phpnamespaceApp\Http;useApp\Http\Request;useIlluminate\Foundation\Http\KernelasHttpKernel;classKernelextendsHttpKernel{// .../**     * Handle an incoming HTTP request.     *     * @param  \Illuminate\Http\Request  $request     * @return \Illuminate\Http\Response     */publicfunctionhandle($request){returnparent::handle(Request::createFrom($request));}}

... and finally, alias your newApp\Http\Request class so the container always returns the same instance.

$this->app->alias('request',Request::class);

Happy Coding!