PHP Extras

Collection of PHP pre-execution script helpers. These helpers leverage the PHP auto_prepend_file configuration directive to modify the runtime environment before the main application script is executed. They are primarily used by docker-php-apache and docker-apache-mvh containers. While currently specific, we aim to make them more generic in the future and welcome contributions.

Important

Maintained by Panubo — Cloud Native & SRE Consultants in Sydney. Work with us →

Helpers

ProxyHelper

Adjusts $_SERVER variables to correctly reflect the client's IP and protocol when the application is behind a reverse proxy.

• Sets $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'] from HTTP_X_REAL_IP.
• Sets $_SERVER['HTTPS'] = 'on', $_SERVER['REQUEST_SCHEME'] = 'https' and $_SERVER['protossl'] = 's' if HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO is https.

SSLHelper

A focused helper for SSL termination. If you only need to handle the SSL part and not the remote address, use this helper.

• Sets $_SERVER['HTTPS'] = 'on', $_SERVER['REQUEST_SCHEME'] = 'https' and $_SERVER['protossl'] = 's' if HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO is https.

WordPressHelper

Configures WordPress using environment variables. This is useful for containerized WordPress deployments. It can set common configuration values like database credentials and security keys automatically.

The following environment variables can be used:

• DB_HOST
• DB_NAME
• DB_USER
• DB_PASSWORD
• DB_CHARSET
• WP_DEBUG
• WP_HOME
• WP_SITEURL
• AUTH_KEY
• SECURE_AUTH_KEY
• LOGGED_IN_KEY
• NONCE_KEY
• AUTH_SALT
• SECURE_AUTH_SALT
• LOGGED_IN_SALT
• NONCE_SALT

Multi-prepend

Allows you to use multiple auto_prepend_file files. It reads a comma-separated list of file paths from the MULTI_PREPEND environment variable and includes them.

Usage

You can enable the helpers by setting the auto_prepend_file directive in your php.ini or webserver configuration.

Single Helper

Set the following php.ini variable to enable the SSL helper:

auto_prepend_file=SSLHelper_prepend.php

Or for Apache configuration:

<Directory /srv/www/>
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
   <If "-T env('BEHIND_PROXY')">
      php_value auto_prepend_file "ProxyHelper_prepend.php"
   </If>
</Directory>

Multiple Helpers

To use multiple helpers, use Multi_prepend.php and set the MULTI_PREPEND environment variable with a comma-separated list of the prepend files you want to include.

Example:

Set auto_prepend_file to Multi_prepend.php:

auto_prepend_file=Multi_prepend.php

Set the MULTI_PREPEND environment variable:

MULTI_PREPEND=ProxyHelper_prepend.php,WordPressHelper_prepend.php

This will load both ProxyHelper and WordPressHelper.

Docker installation

To install in a Docker image:

Debian

# Install PHP Extras
RUN set -x \
  && PHPEXTRAS_VERSION=0.2.0 \
  && PHPEXTRAS_SHA256=1dc751f28ceb799d82c069807df681a9debba2e66e7f37c95ed5e80776f341d1 \
  && if ! command -v wget > /dev/null; then \
      fetchDeps="${fetchDeps} wget"; \
     fi \
  && apt-get update \
  && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends ${fetchDeps} \
  && cd /tmp \
  && wget -nv https://github.com/panubo/php-extras/releases/download/v${PHPEXTRAS_VERSION}/php-extras.tar.gz \
  && echo "${PHPEXTRAS_SHA256}  php-extras.tar.gz" > /tmp/SHA256SUM \
  && ( cd /tmp; sha256sum -c SHA256SUM || ( echo "Expected $(sha256sum php-extras.tar.gz)"; exit 1; )) \
  && mkdir -p /usr/share/php/ \
  && tar --no-same-owner -C /usr/share/php/ -zxf php-extras.tar.gz \
  && rm -rf /tmp/* \
  && apt-get purge -y --auto-remove -o APT::AutoRemove::RecommendsImportant=false ${fetchDeps} \
  && apt-get clean \
  && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/* \
  ;

Important

About Panubo

This project is maintained by Panubo, a technology consultancy based in Sydney, Australia. We build reliable, scalable systems and help teams master the cloud-native ecosystem.

We are available for hire to help with:

• SRE & Operations: Improving system reliability and incident response.
• Platform Engineering: Building internal developer platforms that scale.
• Kubernetes: Cluster design, security auditing, and migrations.
• DevOps: Streamlining CI/CD pipelines and developer experience.
• See our other services

Need a hand with your infrastructure? Let’s have a chat or email us at team@panubo.com.