// SAFE VERSION - REPLACE THIS METHOD in app/Http/Controllers/Api/SkillController.php
// Replace the index method (around lines 34-64)
// This version maintains backward compatibility by always loading relationships

    public function index(Request $request)
    {
        $query = Skill::query();

        // Filter by status
        if ($request->has('status')) {
            switch ($request->status) {
                case 'approved':
                    $query->where('is_approved', true);
                    break;
                case 'pending':
                    $query->pending();
                    break;
                case 'custom':
                    $query->custom();
                    break;
            }
        }

        // Search
        if ($request->has('search')) {
            $query->where('name', 'like', '%' . $request->search . '%');
        }

        // Select only necessary columns (optimizes the main query)
        $skills = $query->select('id', 'name', 'category', 'is_approved', 'is_custom', 'user_id', 'created_at')
            ->orderBy('created_at', 'desc')
            ->paginate(20);

        // Load relationships after pagination (still more optimized than before)
        // This maintains backward compatibility
        $skills->load([
            'user:id,name,email',
            'positions:id,title'
        ]);

        return response()->json([
            'success' => true,
            'data' => $skills,
        ]);
    }