Steps to reproduce the issue

1. Open Category.php
2. Compare the options() method (line 48) with the categories() method (line 153)
3. Try to use filter.language or filter.access with the categories() method
4. Notice these filters don't work in categories() but work in options()

Expected result

Both options() and categories() methods should support the same filters:

• filter.published ✅
• filter.language ✅
• filter.access ✅
• filter.exclude ✅

Actual result

The categories() method only supports filter.published, while options() supports all filters.

Filter | options() | categories() -- | -- | -- filter.published | ✅ | ✅ filter.language | ✅ | ❌ Missing filter.access | ✅ | ❌ Missing filter.exclude | ✅ | ❌ Missing

System information (as much as possible)

• Joomla Version: 5.x / 6.x
• PHP Version: 8.x
• File: Category.php

Additional comments

This is an inconsistency in the codebase. The categories() method should have the same filter support as options() for a consistent developer experience.

I'm willing to submit a PR to fix this issue.

Steps to reproduce the issue Open [Category.php](vscode-file://vscode-app/c:/Users/Admin/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code/resources/app/out/vs/code/electron-browser/workbench/workbench.html) Compare the options() method (line 48) with the categories() method (line 153) Try to use filter.language or filter.access with the categories() method Notice these filters don't work in categories() but work in options() Expected result Both options() and categories() methods should support the same filters:

filter.published ✅
filter.language ✅
filter.access ✅
filter.exclude ✅
Actual result
The categories() method only supports filter.published, while options() supports all filters.

Filter options() categories()
filter.published ✅ ✅
filter.language ✅ ❌ Missing
filter.access ✅ ❌ Missing
filter.exclude ✅ ❌ Missing
System information (as much as possible)
Joomla Version: 5.x / 6.x
PHP Version: 8.x
File: Category.php
Additional comments
This is an inconsistency in the codebase. The categories() method should have the same filter support as options() for a consistent developer experience.

I'm willing to submit a PR to fix this issue.