datatable.directory/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php

<?php

namespace App\Providers;

use App\Models\User;
use App\View\WidgetFactory;
use Illuminate\Support\ServiceProvider;

class AppServiceProvider extends ServiceProvider
{
    /**
     * Bootstrap any application services.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function boot()
    {
        if($this->app->environment('production')) {
            \URL::forceScheme('https');
        }

        \Route::bind('user', function ($value) {
            $u = User::where('name', $value)->first();
            // it may also be the _id directly
            if (!$u) $u = User::find($value);
            return $u;
        });
    }

    /**
     * Register any application services.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function register()
    {
        $this->app->singleton(WidgetFactory::class, function () {
            return new WidgetFactory();
        });
    }
}