Use Composer in PhpStorm

Open the Composer root

Open the directory containing composer.json unless a monorepo design requires several roots. PhpStorm uses Composer metadata for autoloading and navigation. Exclude application caches and generated output, but keep dependencies available for symbol resolution.

Match the interpreter

Composer must run under a PHP version and extensions compatible with the project. Configure a local, Docker, WSL, or remote interpreter, then verify the Composer executable or composer.phar in that same context. Do not hide platform conflicts with an unrelated host PHP.

Expose project commands

Put PHPUnit, PHPStan, Psalm, PHPCS, and PHP CS Fixer behind Composer scripts or project binaries. PhpStorm integrations can call those executables while CI uses the same versions.

Handle credentials safely

Do not commit auth.json, private repository tokens, or environment secrets. Use Composer’s supported credential storage and organizational secret controls, and review scripts before executing dependencies from an untrusted repository.

Verification and maintenance

Use Composer in PhpStorm was reviewed for this seed on 2026-08-09. Before adopting its recommendations, confirm current releases, platform support, licensing, extension publishers, and configuration syntax through JetBrains Composer Help at the official source linked below. Product status and plugin compatibility can change independently of this editorial record.

Test changes on a representative repository and keep Composer scripts, automated tests, static analysis, and version control authoritative. If official documentation no longer supports a claim made on /ide/phpstorm/composer/, mark the fact unknown or update it from a primary source rather than filling the gap from an old tutorial or download mirror.