Open-source project
phpvm
Simple PHP version manager for MacOS and Linux.
About the project
phpvm is a lightweight PHP Version Manager that allows you to easily install, switch between, and manage multiple PHP versions via the command line.
Seamlessly switch between installed PHP versions. Run commands with a specific PHP version without globally switching ( phpvm exec , phpvm run ). List available remote PHP versions from your system package manager ( phpvm ls-remote ). Install the latest available remote PHP version with phpvm install latest-remote . Update phpvm in place using phpvm self-update to pull the latest stable script version. Resolve ver…
Auto-switch PHP versions based on project .phpvmrc (configurable depth via PHPVM PHPVMRC MAX DEPTH ).
Problem
PHP developers often need to switch versions locally without accepting a heavyweight setup for everyday project work.
Architecture
A lightweight command-line utility oriented around practical local PHP version management.
Design decisions
- Prioritize installation ergonomics and direct CLI behavior.
- Keep version switching explicit and understandable.
- Avoid adding abstractions that make local environments harder to diagnose.
Constraints and lessons
Constraints
- Local tooling has to be predictable across developer environments.
- The tool should stay transparent enough for users to debug their own setup.
Lessons
- Developer tools earn trust when they reduce setup friction and explain what they are doing.
- CLI tools benefit from boring, memorable commands.
Public open-source tooling with a focused maintenance scope.