php-upgrade
Installation
SKILL.md
PHP Version Upgrade
Upgrade one minor version at a time. Never skip versions - each step surfaces deprecations that become errors in the next release. Every upgrade follows the same cycle: audit, automate, test, deploy.
Core Principles
| Principle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Changelog first | Before any upgrade, search the web for the official PHP migration guide (php.net/migration) or ask the user for the changelog - never rely on static knowledge alone |
| One version at a time | Upgrade 8.1 -> 8.2 -> 8.3 -> 8.4 sequentially - skipping versions makes it impossible to isolate breakage |
| Fix deprecations before upgrading | Deprecations in version N become errors in version N+1 - treat them as mandatory fixes |
| Automate first, manual second | Run Rector and PHPCompatibility before touching code by hand - they catch 80%+ of required changes |
| Prove it with tests | Never consider an upgrade complete without a passing test suite on the target version |
| Pin your platform | Set config.platform.php in composer.json to match your lowest deployment target |