explaingit

Popular PHP repositories on GitHub, each explained for non-coders — what it does, its tech stack, and how to run it.

• danielmiessler/seclistsSecLists is a large collection of text wordlists for security testing — covering common passwords, hidden web
• coollabsio/coolifyCoolify is a self-hosted deployment dashboard that lets you deploy apps, databases, and services on your own s
• nextcloud/serverNextcloud is a self-hosted alternative to Google Drive or Dropbox. Store files, contacts, and calendars on you
• laravel/frameworkLaravel is a PHP framework that handles the building blocks of web apps — routing, databases, login systems, e
• symfony/symfonySymfony is a PHP web framework made of roughly 60 reusable components covering routing, forms, security, and m
• blueimp/jquery-file-uploadjQuery File Upload is a JavaScript plugin that replaces a plain file input with drag-and-drop uploading, per-f
• filamentphp/filamentA PHP framework that auto-generates polished admin panels and data management interfaces for Laravel apps, eli
• composer/composerThe standard package manager for PHP — declare which libraries your project needs, and Composer automatically
• bagisto/bagistoBagisto is a free, self-hosted open-source platform for building online stores — a complete alternative to Sho
• fzaninotto/fakerPHP library that generates realistic fake data like names, addresses, and emails for testing and development w
• monicahq/monicaAn open-source personal CRM you host yourself — a private space to log details about your friends and family,
• livewire/livewireLivewire lets Laravel PHP developers build interactive web pages — live search, real-time form validation, aut
• guzzle/guzzleGuzzle is a PHP library that makes it simple to send HTTP requests to external APIs and web services — GET, PO
• firefly-iii/firefly-iiiA free, self-hosted personal finance manager you run on your own server to track income, expenses, budgets, an
• designpatternsphp/designpatternsphpDesignPatternsPHP is a reference collection of all classic software design patterns implemented in PHP 8, each
• phpmailer/phpmailerPHPMailer is the standard PHP library for sending email from your application — it handles SMTP connections, H
• matomo-org/matomoSelf-hosted open-source web analytics platform — like Google Analytics but installed on your own server, so vi
• seldaek/monologMonolog is a PHP library for recording logs from your application to multiple destinations at once — files, em
• wordpress/wordpressWordPress is a widely-used open-source content management system built in PHP. This repo is a read-only Git mi
• sebastianbergmann/phpunitThe standard PHP testing framework — write automated tests that check your functions and classes work correctl
• fruitcake/laravel-debugbarA developer toolbar for Laravel apps that shows database queries, routes, views, logs, and performance timings
• bookstackapp/bookstackBookStack is a self-hosted, open-source wiki platform for teams to write and organize documentation in a simpl
• easychen/howto-make-more-moneyA Chinese-language guide for programmers on earning extra income outside a day job, centered on a book called
• bcit-ci/codeigniterCodeIgniter is a lightweight PHP web framework that provides routing, database helpers, session management, an
• nikic/php-parserPHP library that parses PHP 7 and 8 source code into an Abstract Syntax Tree, lets you transform it with visit
• koel/koelA self-hosted personal music streaming service. Point it at a folder of audio files, run the Laravel and Vue s
• briannesbitt/carbonA PHP library that makes working with dates and times easier than the built-in DateTime class, with English-st
• flarum/flarumFlarum is self-hosted open-source forum software you install on your own server to run a discussion community,
• easychen/opc-methodologyChinese-language book on running a one-person online business, covering market choice, digital products, risk,
• getgrav/gravA flat-file PHP CMS that runs without a database. Drop the ZIP on a server, write content as Markdown files, a
• cachethq/cachetCachet is an open source self-hosted status page built with PHP and Laravel, with components, incidents, metri
• erusev/parsedownParsedown is a single-file PHP library that converts Markdown text into HTML, with GitHub flavored Markdown su
• freshrss/freshrssSelf-hosted PHP RSS and Atom feed reader with multi-user support, web scraping for sites without feeds, and a
• barryvdh/laravel-ide-helperLaravel IDE Helper generates PHPDoc files for Laravel projects so editors like PhpStorm and VS Code can autoco
• intervention/imagePHP library for resizing, watermarking, and converting images in web applications — switch between GD, Imagick
• yiisoft/yii2Full-featured PHP web framework that handles requests, database access, and page rendering so you can build we
• phpstan/phpstanPHPStan checks PHP code for bugs and type errors without running it, catching whole categories of mistakes bef
• phpoffice/phpspreadsheetPhpSpreadsheet is a pure-PHP library for reading and writing Excel and LibreOffice spreadsheet files, requirin
• grokability/snipe-itSnipe-IT is a free web app for IT teams to track hardware assets like laptops and monitors, software licenses,
• thephpleague/flysystemFlysystem is a PHP library that gives your app one consistent API for reading, writing, and managing files reg
• vlucas/phpdotenvPHP library that reads a .env file and loads configuration values like passwords and API keys into your app as
• php-cs-fixer/php-cs-fixerPHP CS Fixer automatically rewrites PHP code to match your chosen coding style — it finds formatting rule viol
• filp/whoopsA PHP error handling library that replaces the default confusing crash screen with a clear, well-designed erro
• roots/sageSage is a modern WordPress starter theme for developers, providing Laravel Blade templates, Tailwind CSS, and
• qloapps/qloappsFree open source hotel management software you install on your own server to run a hotel website with an onlin
• digininja/dvwaDVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application) is an intentionally insecure PHP app for practicing common web attack t
• spatie/laravel-permissionA Laravel package that adds database-backed user roles and permissions to your web app, letting you control wh
• star7th/showdocShowDoc is a shared documentation hub for software teams, letting everyone write and find API references, data
• wallabag/wallabagA self-hosted web app that saves articles from the web so you can read them later, stripped of ads and clutter
• spartnernl/laravel-excelPHP package for Laravel that makes reading and writing Excel and CSV files straightforward, with built-in supp
• ramsey/uuidA PHP library for generating and working with UUIDs — globally unique identifiers used as database primary key
• piotrplenik/clean-code-phpClean Code PHP adapts Robert C. Martin's Clean Code principles for PHP, showing before-and-after examples of h
• typecho/typechoA lightweight PHP blogging platform that supports Markdown writing, plugins, and themes, and runs on MySQL, SQ
• phacility/phabricatorPhabricator is a now-archived collection of PHP web apps for software teams — it covered code review, project
• slimphp/slimSlim is a lightweight PHP micro-framework that provides only the essentials for building web apps and APIs: ro
• docker-archive-public/docker.labsAn archived collection of hands-on Docker tutorials covering containers, networking, security, Docker Swarm, a
• thedevdojo/voyagerA Laravel admin panel that adds a browser-based database management interface — browse, add, edit, and delete
• egulias/emailvalidatorEmailValidator is a PHP library that checks whether an email address is valid, with pluggable strategies for R
• walkor/workermanA PHP framework for building fast network servers that can handle thousands of simultaneous connections — thin
• tymondesigns/jwt-authA PHP package that adds token-based login to Laravel apps. Users get a compact signed token at login instead o
• pestphp/pestA PHP testing framework with a cleaner, simpler syntax built on top of PHPUnit, making it less tedious to writ
• phpoffice/phpexcelArchived PHP library for reading and writing Excel spreadsheets in formats including .xlsx, .xls, CSV, and Ope
• doctrine/inflectorA small PHP library that converts English words between singular and plural forms and transforms text between
• doctrine/lexerA PHP base class for building lexers — components that read raw text and break it into labeled tokens as the f
• z-song/laravel-adminA PHP package for Laravel that generates a full admin control panel for your web app in minutes, with database
• octobercms/octoberA self-hosted CMS built on PHP and Laravel that keeps website development simple, with a plugin marketplace an
• dompdf/dompdfDompdf converts HTML and CSS into PDF files entirely within PHP, handling layout and styling without any exter
• deployphp/deployerDeployer is a PHP command-line tool that automates pushing code to remote servers with zero-downtime deploymen
• doctrine/instantiatorTiny PHP library that creates class instances without running their constructors — useful when rebuilding obje
• phalcon/cphalconPhalcon is a PHP web framework compiled as a C extension, giving you the familiar MVC structure of frameworks
• squizlabs/php_codesnifferA command-line tool that checks PHP, JavaScript, and CSS files against coding style rules and can automaticall
• tennc/webshellA research collection of webshell scripts in PHP, ASP, JSP, and other server-side languages, intended for secu
• mockery/mockeryA PHP testing library that lets you create fake versions of any object with preset return values or required c
• serbanghita/mobile-detectMobile-Detect is a PHP library that tells your app whether the current visitor is on a mobile phone or tablet
• aureuserp/aureuserpAn open-source, browser-based ERP system for small and medium businesses that unifies accounting, HR, inventor
• php-fig/logA minimal PHP package that defines a standard logging interface (PSR-3) so any PHP project can swap one loggin
• w7corp/easywechatEasyWeChat is a PHP library that wraps WeChat's developer APIs — Official Accounts, Mini Programs, and payment
• anankke/sspanel-uimSSPanel-UIM is a PHP web panel for running a paid proxy subscription service, handling user sign-ups, billing
• rectorphp/rectorRector is a command-line tool that automatically upgrades and rewrites PHP code — point it at your project and
• woocommerce/woocommerceAn open-source WordPress plugin that turns any WordPress site into a full online store, with product listings,
• doctrine/ormDoctrine ORM is a PHP library that maps database tables to PHP objects so you can read and save data without w
• swiftmailer/swiftmailerAn archived PHP library for sending email from web applications, now end-of-life since November 2021 — the sam
• phpdocumentor/reflectiondocblockReflectionDocBlock is a PHP library that parses PHPDoc comment blocks above functions and classes into queryab
• dingo/apiA PHP package for building web APIs on Laravel and Lumen that handles versioning, authentication, rate limitin
• friendsofphp/goutteGoutte is a deprecated PHP library for scraping websites — visit pages, extract data with CSS selectors, and s
• phpdocumentor/typeresolverA PHP library that parses type expressions from documentation comments into structured objects, making it easy
• linuxserver/heimdallA self-hosted web dashboard that collects all your apps and bookmarks into one tiled start page, with enhanced
• reactphp/reactphpA collection of PHP libraries that add non-blocking, event-driven programming to PHP, letting your app handle
• prestashop/prestashopPrestaShop is a free, open-source platform for building and running a complete online store, with product list
• phpdocumentor/reflectioncommonReflectionCommon is a shared PHP library providing common interfaces for reading and analyzing PHP code struct
• rss-bridge/rss-bridgeRSS-Bridge is a self-hosted PHP app that creates RSS or Atom feeds for websites that do not offer one — coveri
• sebastianbergmann/php-code-coverageA PHP library that tracks which lines of your code are executed during tests, helping you find untested parts
• fuzzdb-project/fuzzdbA large library of text-based attack patterns, directory discovery wordlists, and response-matching rules that
• myclabs/deepcopyA PHP library that creates fully independent copies of complex objects, including ones with circular reference
• pterodactyl/panelPterodactyl is a free open-source web dashboard for hosting and managing game servers (Minecraft, Rust, and do
• cakephp/cakephpCakePHP is a PHP web application framework that helps developers build websites and web apps faster by followi
• denvercoder1/readme-typing-svgA free hosted service that generates an animated SVG of typing text for embedding in a GitHub profile README o
• owncloud/coreSelf-hosted cloud storage platform written in PHP that lets you store, sync, and share files, contacts, and ca
• symfony/http-foundationA PHP library that wraps HTTP requests and responses into clean objects, replacing PHP's scattered global vari
• aimeos/aimeos-laravelFull-featured online shop package that plugs into any Laravel application in about five minutes, covering prod
• solidtime-io/solidtimeAn open-source, self-hostable time tracking app for freelancers and agencies that handles projects, clients, b
• symfony/event-dispatcherA standalone PHP library that lets different parts of an application communicate by dispatching named events a
• phpspec/prophecyProphecy is a PHP library for creating fake versions of your app's dependencies in tests, so you can verify yo
• sylius/syliusSylius is a PHP framework for building fully custom e-commerce stores with a headless architecture — it handle
• symfony/finderA standalone PHP library for searching files and folders using a chainable, readable API — filter by name patt
• twigphp/twigA fast, secure template language for PHP that keeps HTML pages separate from your PHP code, compiles templates
• sebastianbergmann/php-file-iteratorSmall PHP library that scans directories and filters files by extension or prefix — mainly used as a dependenc
• phar-io/manifestA PHP library that reads and writes XML manifest files for PHP Archive (PHAR) packages, describing their versi
• lcobucci/jwtA PHP library for creating, signing, and verifying JSON Web Tokens—the standard way to authenticate users acro
• phar-io/versionA tiny PHP library that parses semantic version numbers and checks whether a version satisfies a constraint li
• symfony/processA PHP library that lets you run shell commands from your PHP code with clean handling of output, timeouts, and
• symfony/css-selectorA small PHP library that converts CSS selectors into XPath queries, so you can use the familiar CSS syntax you
• symfony/var-dumperA PHP debugging library that replaces the built-in var_dump() with a cleaner, more readable output for inspect
• sebastianbergmann/php-text-templateA small standalone PHP library for filling placeholder variables into text templates at runtime, useful for ge
• laravel/tinkerAn interactive PHP console built into every Laravel project that lets you query your database, test code, and
• vrana/adminerA single PHP file you drop on any web server to get a full browser-based database manager supporting MySQL, Po
• fideloper/trustedproxyPHP package for Laravel that makes your app correctly identify real visitor IPs and protocols when running beh
• barryvdh/laravel-dompdfA Laravel package that converts HTML templates into downloadable PDF files using Dompdf, letting you generate,
• dolibarr/dolibarrDolibarr is an open-source web-based ERP and CRM for small and medium businesses, covering contacts, quotes, i
• symfony/debugA deprecated Symfony PHP component that displayed structured, readable error messages during development — sup
• the-benchmarker/web-frameworksA benchmark suite that measures how many HTTP requests per second popular web frameworks can handle across man
• moodle/moodleMoodle is an open-source platform for running online courses and training programs — install it on your own se
• mongodb/laravel-mongodbA Laravel package that lets you use MongoDB as your database with the exact same Eloquent model and query synt
• sebastianbergmann/comparatorA PHP library that checks whether two PHP values are equal, handling all value types including objects, dates,
• php-fig/http-messageA PHP package that defines the PSR-7 standard interfaces for HTTP messages, allowing different PHP frameworks
• hamcrest/hamcrest-phpPHP port of the Hamcrest matching library that lets you write readable test assertions like assertThat($value,
• roundcube/roundcubemailRoundcube is a free open-source webmail application you install on your own server so people can read and send
• pixelfed/pixelfedPixelfed is an open-source Instagram-like photo sharing platform you can self-host, part of the fediverse so u
• elementor/elementorThe most popular drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress — you visually design web pages by dragging e
• paragonie/awesome-appsecA curated reading list of books, articles, courses, and tools for learning application security across many pr
• hyperf/hyperfA high-performance PHP framework that uses coroutines to handle over 100,000 requests per second, with built-i
• sebastianbergmann/exporterSmall PHP library that converts any variable — arrays, objects, null, circular references — into a readable te
• denvercoder1/github-readme-streak-statsA service that generates a customizable badge showing your GitHub contribution streak, total contributions, an
• sebastianbergmann/environmentA tiny PHP utility library that detects whether code is running on standard PHP or HHVM, so you can write cond
• aonez/kekaKeka is a free macOS and iOS app for compressing and extracting files, supporting multiple archive formats wit
• doctrine/annotationsA PHP library that reads special tags written in code comments and converts them into structured data, letting
• spatie/laravel-backupA Laravel package that automates creating, storing, and monitoring backups of your app's files and database —
• doctrine/collectionsDoctrine Collections is a PHP library that provides a shared, consistent interface for working with typed coll
• itsgoingd/clockworkClockwork is a PHP debugging tool that captures every request your app handles and shows you database queries,
• respect/validationRespect/Validation is a PHP library with 150+ built-in rules for checking user input, letting you chain condit
• passbolt/passbolt_apiAn open-source team password manager you can self-host, where passwords are encrypted on each user's device be
• codeigniter4/codeigniter4A lightweight PHP web framework that gives developers a ready-made structure for routing URLs, connecting to d
• prasathmani/tinyfilemanagerA single PHP file you drop onto any web server to get a browser-based file manager — no install, no database,
• glpi-project/glpiGLPI is a free, open source IT management platform that tracks all of an organization's technology assets and
• vimeo/psalmPsalm is a PHP static analysis tool that reads your code before you run it to catch type errors, undefined var
• tijsverkoyen/csstoinlinestylesCssToInlineStyles is a PHP library that merges a CSS stylesheet into an HTML file by moving every style rule d
• spatie/laravel-activitylogA Laravel package that automatically records what users and the system do in your app, storing an audit trail
• zoneminder/zoneminderA free, open-source Linux surveillance system that connects to IP, USB, and analog cameras, records footage, d
• doctrine/commonA shared PHP utility library that serves as the internal foundation for Doctrine ORM and Doctrine DBAL — most
• openai-php/clientA community PHP library for calling the OpenAI API — covering chat, images, audio, embeddings, fine-tuning, an
• audi-1/sqli-labsA deliberately vulnerable PHP web application with step-by-step lessons covering every major SQL injection tec
• causefx/organizrA self-hosted web dashboard that combines all your home-server apps into one page with tabs, user accounts, an
• laravel/socialitePHP package for Laravel that adds social login buttons (Google, GitHub, Facebook, and more) to your web app in
• timber/timberTimber is a WordPress plugin that separates PHP logic from HTML design using the Twig template language, makin
• alexjustesen/speedtest-trackerSpeedtest Tracker is a self-hosted web app that automatically runs internet speed tests on a schedule and save
• rappasoft/laravel-boilerplateLaravel Boilerplate is a ready-made PHP starter project that gives you user accounts, roles, permissions, an a
• pfsense/pfsensepfSense is a free, open source firewall and router built on FreeBSD that replaces expensive commercial network
• hlmd/postman-cnA community-made Chinese language pack for Postman that translates the entire interface into Simplified Chines
• phan/phanA static analysis tool for PHP that checks your code for type errors, undefined variables, wrong function argu
• nunomaduro/phpinsightsPHP Insights scans a PHP codebase in seconds and displays scores for code quality, coding style, architecture,
• phpseclib/phpseclibphpseclib is a pure-PHP library for SSH, SFTP, encryption, digital signatures, and X.509 certificates — no com
• swoft-cloud/swoftA high-performance PHP framework powered by Swoole that keeps your app running persistently in memory, making
• solstice23/argon-themeA lightweight, visually polished WordPress blog theme with built-in dark mode, flexible column layouts, math e
• orchidsoftware/platformAn open-source Laravel package for building admin panels and dashboards by describing forms and tables in PHP,
• jenssegers/agentA PHP library that detects what device, browser, and operating system a website visitor is using, so your app
• corcel/corcelA PHP library that connects to a WordPress database so you can use WordPress as a content backend while your p
• endroid/qr-codeA PHP library for generating QR codes in PNG, SVG, WebP, EPS, and PDF formats, with support for custom colors,
• doctrine/migrationsDoctrine Migrations is a PHP library that tracks database schema changes as versioned PHP class files, letting
• easy-swoole/easyswooleA high-performance PHP framework for building fast API servers that can handle thousands of simultaneous users
• webonyx/graphql-phpA PHP library that lets your backend handle GraphQL queries — clients ask for exactly the data they need, and
• librenms/librenmsA free, community-maintained network monitoring system that watches routers, switches, and servers across your
• mpdf/mpdfA PHP library that converts an HTML string into a PDF file, handling non-Latin character sets, page layout, he
• nunomaduro/collisionA PHP package that replaces raw CLI error dumps with a readable, highlighted display showing the relevant line
• symfony/filesystemA PHP utility library for reliably creating, copying, moving, and deleting files and directories, with clear e
• kimai/kimaiAn open-source web app for tracking time spent on projects and generating reports and invoices — self-hostable
• anonaddy/anonaddyAnonAddy (addy.io) lets you create disposable email aliases that forward messages to your real inbox, keeping
• mlgmxyysd/xiaomi-hyperos-bootloader-bypassA PHP proof-of-concept that bypasses Xiaomi HyperOS account binding restrictions for bootloader unlocking, usi
• dokuwiki/dokuwikiAn open-source wiki engine written in PHP that lets you create and edit interconnected web pages using simple
• php-amqplib/php-amqplibThe most widely used PHP client for RabbitMQ, letting you publish and consume messages through queues so diffe
• exposedev/exposeAn open-source PHP tunneling tool that creates a public URL pointing to your local development server, letting
• tecnickcom/tcpdfTCPDF is a PHP library for generating PDF files from code, supporting text, images, barcodes, and forms — now
• easychen/stack-roadmapA visual full-stack learning roadmap in Chinese that shows indie developers the minimum skills needed to ship
• cakephp/phinxA standalone PHP tool for managing database schema changes as versioned migration files, supporting MySQL, Pos
• aimeos/aimeos-coreA modular PHP e-commerce framework that provides the core shop logic and admin tools to build custom storefron
• symfony/dotenvA PHP library that loads environment variables from a .env file into your app at startup, so you can safely st
• ampache/ampacheA self-hosted web app that streams your own music and video collection from your server to any internet-connec
• ralouphie/getallheadersA tiny PHP library that makes the getallheaders() function work on nginx and FastCGI servers, not just Apache
• lazychaser/laravel-nestedsetA Laravel package that stores parent-child data like category trees and nav menus in a database using the Nest
• piwigo/piwigoA self-hosted photo gallery you install on your own web server to store and share photos privately — a free, o
• wp-graphql/wp-graphqlA free WordPress plugin that adds a GraphQL API to your site, letting you build modern headless frontends with
• osticket/osticketosTicket is a free, open source helpdesk system that collects support requests from email, phone, and web form
• vscommonbot/vs-ir-evalA prompt and skill package that reviews startup pitch decks and business plans from a venture mentoring perspe
• iamjohnwhite/bricks-floating-panelsA WordPress plugin for Bricks Builder that turns the docked Settings and Structure panels into freely draggabl
• foodlz/laravel-ai-skillsA Laravel PHP package that lets you give AI agents reusable behavior guides — like a refund policy or tone gui
• kukuhtw/toko_kopiAn AI-powered ordering and customer management chatbot for cafes and restaurants, written in PHP, supporting W
• petebishwhip/laradocsA Laravel package that turns Markdown files in your codebase into a full documentation website with sidebar na
• mugisha-eric-250/schoollibrarymanagementsystemA Laravel web app for managing a school library — track books, borrowers, checkouts, and returns through a bro
• likeyun/wxminiprosubmsgpushSelf-hosted PHP system for sending bulk WeChat Mini Program subscription messages. Includes an admin panel, Re
• agentpietrucha/ks_affiliationPrestaShop 8 module that tracks affiliate links via cookie attribution, ties orders back to the referring code

All repos · Explain any other repo →