What is tap() helper in Laravel?

The tap() helper passes a value to a callback and then returns the original value. It is designed for performing side effects without interrupting a chain. Example: return tap(User::create($data), fn($user) => $user->sendWelcomeEmail()) — creates the user, sends the email (side effect), and returns the user. Without tap: $user = User::create($data); $user->sendWelcomeEmail(); return $user;. In Eloquent: $user->tap(fn() => event(new UserSaved($user)))->save(). Tap is also used for debugging in method chains: User::where("active", true)->tap(fn($q) => info($q->toSql()))->paginate(). The $this->tap() shorthand in models: return $model->tap->sendWelcomeEmail(). Tap encourages side effects to be named and explicit rather than hidden inside the main expression.