The #[FluentRules] attribute

A per-method opt-in, defined in sandermuller/laravel-fluent-validation. It says: convert this method's rule array even though the class is not a FormRequest, a trait user, or a Livewire component.

Use it when:

• A non-qualifying class holds rules under a name other than rules(), such as a custom Validator subclass's rulesWithoutPrefix(). The attribute qualifies the class and points the converter at that method.
• An abstract class has rules() and you have audited its subclasses to confirm none merges parent::rules() as a plain array. The attribute is that audit assertion, and it lifts the abstract-class guard for the attributed method.

Do not use it on:

• Methods named after framework hooks: casts(), messages(), attributes(), toArray(), jsonSerialize(). The denylist drops the attribute for both qualification and conversion, and logs a warning so the mistake surfaces.
• Abstract methods whose subclasses you have not audited. Converting the parent silently breaks a subclass doing array_merge(parent::rules(), [...]). The attribute is per-method: putting it on a sibling helper does not lift the guard for rules().

What it does not lift

Three guards the attribute has no effect on

• Cross-class parent safety. If any subclass manipulates parent::rules() with array functions (array_merge, array_search, bracket assignment, collect()->merge*(), or the + union operator), the parent refuses conversion even with #[FluentRules] on it. The attribute is a claim about your own method, not a licence to override the cross-class scan. Refactor the merge points first.
• Shape-changing transforms on Validator subclasses. When a class qualifies only via the attribute and extends a Validator, the converters run but GroupWildcardRulesToEachRector skips with a logged message. Folding '*.foo' + '*.bar' into '*' => array()->children([...]) is equivalent under FormRequest dispatch, but breaks a Validator parent that postprocesses the rules array. One that walks it and prepends a per-key prefix, for instance, cannot round-trip the nested shape. Fold by hand if you have audited the parent.
• The denylist, above. It always wins.

Scoping is per method. The attribute on rulesWithoutPrefix() converts that method and qualifies the class; it does not turn on class-wide detection of other rule-shaped helpers. Each needs its own attribute. That narrowing is what stops a stray rule token in an unrelated helper from being rewritten as validation rules.