categories v1 finished

routes/web.php

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ use App\Http\Controllers\Web\FooterController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\Web\StaffController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\Web\RssFeedController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\Web\ApplicationController;
+use App\Http\Controllers\Web\CategoryController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\News\NewsController as FrontendNewsController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\News\NewsRssController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\RSS\GlobalFeedController;
@@ -183,6 +184,9 @@ Route::get('/tags/{tag}', [\App\Http\Controllers\Web\Posts\HashtagFeedController
     ->where('tag', '[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_]{1,63}')
     ->name('feed.hashtag');
 
+// ── CATEGORIES DIRECTORY ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+Route::get('/categories', [CategoryController::class, 'index'])->name('categories.index');
+
 // ── FOLLOWING (shortcut) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 Route::middleware('auth')->get('/following', function () {
     return redirect()->route('dashboard.following');