Set Up VS Code for PHP

Install PHP separately

VS Code does not include the PHP runtime. Install or select PHP locally, in WSL, in a container, or on a remote host, then verify php -v and php --ini in the integrated terminal. The editor’s syntax feature cannot execute code.

Choose one language provider

Install a reviewed PHP language extension such as Intelephense and disable overlapping providers. Record recommended extensions in the repository. PHP support remains extension-dependent even when the result feels integrated.

Add only required tooling

Use PHP Debug for Xdebug when interactive debugging is needed. Connect PHPUnit, PHPStan, Psalm, PHPCS, and PHP CS Fixer through Composer scripts, tasks, or carefully selected extensions. Avoid a large pack whose contents and publishers are unknown.

Share safe settings

Commit formatting, file exclusions, tasks, and secret-free launch configurations that genuinely apply to everyone. Keep personal themes and machine paths in user settings. Validate the setup from a clean profile before calling onboarding complete.

Verification and maintenance

Set Up VS Code for PHP 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 Visual Studio Code PHP Documentation 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/vscode/php-setup/, mark the fact unknown or update it from a primary source rather than filling the gap from an old tutorial or download mirror.