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phpDocumentor

phpDocumentor turns PHP source code and DocBlock comments into API documentation.

Place
#20 of 37
Score
6.0
phpDocumentor's website

What phpDocumentor is

phpDocumentor turns PHP source code and DocBlock comments into API documentation. It can also generate UML diagrams to show code structure. Its markup parser handles Markdown and reStructuredText, and API documentation can be inserted into reStructuredText documents to keep them aligned with the code. The product site says full-text search works offline and describes CI pipeline integration through a GitHub Action or Docker image.

The tool is free and open source, with Linux, macOS, and self-hosted use listed. The installation guide recommends Docker, Phive, or the PHAR file. A standalone installation needs PHP 8.1.2 or higher and the mbstring extension; PlantUML is optional. The official Docker image includes its dependencies. The project also provides Composer-installable components for parsing and rendering documentation, resolving types, and reflecting on PHP files and projects. Its Docker Hub overview says direct Composer installation is not actively supported because of dependency-conflict risk. The project invites sponsorship through GitHub Sponsors.

Good

  • Generates API documentation from PHP code and DocBlocks
  • Can create UML diagrams of code structure
  • Supports Markdown and reStructuredText
  • Can integrate with CI pipelines

Watch out

  • Standalone installation requires PHP 8.1.2 or higher
  • Standalone installation requires the mbstring extension
  • Direct Composer installation is not actively supported

Who it suits

phpDocumentor suits PHP developers who want to generate API documentation from source and DocBlock comments. It may also fit teams that use Markdown or reStructuredText and want CI pipeline integration.

Verdict

phpDocumentor offers a free, self-hosted way to generate and integrate PHP documentation. Check its standalone runtime requirements and installation guidance before choosing an install method.

Plans and prices

From phpDocumentor's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
phpDocumentorFreeOpen-source PHP documentation tool; no paid plans listed on the opened official pages

The facts

Each one read from phpDocumentor's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

CI
The product site says it can be integrated into CI pipelines using its GitHub Action or Docker image.checked 8 Oct 2026
Components
The project offers standalone Composer-installable components for parsing and rendering documentation, resolving types, and reflecting on PHP files and projects.checked 8 Oct 2026
Diagrams
It can create UML diagrams to visualize code structure.checked 8 Oct 2026
Doc integration
It can include parts of API documentation directly in RestructuredText documentation to keep docs and code in sync.checked 8 Oct 2026
Docker
The official Docker image includes dependencies so they do not need to be installed locally.checked 8 Oct 2026
Funding
The site describes phpDocumentor as an open-source project without large funders and invites sponsorship through GitHub Sponsors.checked 8 Oct 2026
Install options
The documentation recommends Docker, Phive, or downloading the PHAR file.checked 8 Oct 2026
Markup
Its markup parser supports RestructuredText and Markdown.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
phpDocumentor analyzes PHP source code and DocBlock comments to generate API documentation.checked 8 Oct 2026
Runtime requirements
Standalone installation requires PHP 8.1.2 or higher and the mbstring extension; PlantUML is optional.checked 8 Oct 2026
Search
The product site says full-text search works even offline.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support status
The Docker Hub overview says phpDocumentor does not endorse or actively support installing the application directly through Composer, citing dependency conflict risk.checked 8 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Platform use
The installation guide documents PHAR execution on Mac and Linux and also recommends Docker for standalone use.checked 8 Oct 2026

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