# Decide Eager Loading

> When to eager load relationships. N+1 prevention decisions.

- Skill: `attac-t/decide-eager-loading` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add attac-t/decide-eager-loading`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/attac-t/decide-eager-loading/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: attac-t (https://skillmd.com/u/attac-t)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/attac-t/decide-eager-loading

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# Skill: Eager Loading

> "One query is better than N+1."

## The Decision

**Use `with()` when:**
- You know upfront which relationships you need
- Building a query before execution
- Relationships will be accessed for most/all records

**Use `load()` when:**
- Model already retrieved
- Conditional loading based on runtime logic
- Adding relationships after initial query

**Use `withCount()` when:**
- Only need the count, not the related models
- Displaying "5 comments" without loading comments

## The Heuristic

Ask: *"Will I access this relationship in a loop?"*

- **Yes** → Eager load with `with()`
- **Maybe** → Consider `load()` conditionally
- **Just counting** → `withCount()`

## The Quick Test

| Scenario                    | Method              |
|-----------------------------|---------------------|
| Query time, known relations | `with()`            |
| Post-query, conditional     | `load()`            |
| Only need counts            | `withCount()`       |
| Nested relationships        | `with('a.b.c')`     |
| Constrained eager load      | `with(['a' => fn])` |

## Real-World Examples

For concrete examples from this codebase, see [examples.md](examples.md).