VS Code PHP_CodeSniffer Extension

Integrates PHP_CodeSniffer into VS Code.

This extension uses the version of PHPCS defined by the platform-specific executable setting. Through the use of custom reports we are able to generate diagnostics, code actions, and document formatting that fully utilizes VS Code's available features.

Configuration

Until you configure it, this extension will not lint any files.

Standard (phpCodeSniffer.standard)

This dropdown selects the coding standard that will be used. There are a few options that, when selected, will instead change the behavior of the extension.

Disabled

This option will prevent the extension from linting any documents.

Default

Allow PHPCS to decide what standard should apply to the document. It will either use the default standard if one is configured, otherwise, it will try to find one in the workspace root and all parent directories.

Automatic

When selected, this option will cause the extension to search for an applicable coding standard file (.phpcs.xml, phpcs.xml, .phpcs.xml.dist, phpcs.xml.dist). The extension starts in the document's folder and traverses through parent directories until it reaches the workspace root. If the extension fails to find a file it will do nothing and output an error.

Custom

This option will use the content of the phpCodeSniffer.standardCustom input as the standard. This can be the name of a custom ruleset, or, a path to a custom standard file. If a relative path is given it will be based on the workspace root that the document resides in (untitled documents use the first root).

Executable (phpCodeSniffer.exec.linux, phpCodeSniffer.exec.osx, and phpCodeSniffer.exec.windows)

This text input allows for setting a path to a platform-specific PHPCS executable. If a relative path is given it will be based on the workspace root that the document resides in (untitled documents use the first root). Any arguments or options added after the executable will be passed to it automatically.

You may also set the phpCodeSniffer.autoExecutable option if you'd like for the extension to automatically search for an executable. This works by looking for a {vendor-dir}/bin/phpcs ({vendor-dir}\bin\phpcs.bat on Windows) file in the document's directory and then traversing up to the workspace folder if it does not find one. When it fails to find one automatically it will fall back to the explicit option.

File and Folder Exclusions (phpCodeSniffer.exclude)

This array of glob patterns allows you to exclude files and folders from linting. While the extension does respect any file rules in your coding standard, this option allows you to define additional rules.

Autofix on Save

Rather than providing an option here, this extension encourages you to use the built-in VS Code editor.formatOnSave option:

{
    "[php]": {
        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
        "editor.defaultFormatter": "obliviousharmony.vscode-php-codesniffer"
    }
}

Using in Containerized Development Environments (phpCodeSniffer.autoloadPHPCSIntegration)

If you are using a container for your development environment we would strongly recommend using one of VS Code's remote development extensions. However, if this is not possible, we have provided a Composer package with the files required to integrate with PHPCS. You must install these files alongside PHPCS (globally or per-project) in order for the extension to work properly. Once you have installed the package it will be used instead of the build-in integration when phpCodeSniffer.autoloadPHPCSIntegration is enabled.