Loading Composer Packages Locally

Introduction

Working with Composer in PHP projects is a standard practice for managing dependencies. However, when developing a custom Composer package, you might want to test and refine it within the context of a real project without publishing it to a package repository like Packagist. This guide will walk you through loading a Composer package from a local directory, such as packages/vendor/package-name, ensuring a seamless development process.

Why Choose a Local Directory?

Choosing a local directory for package development has its perks:

• Immediate Feedback: Test changes in real-time without the need to publish the package.
• Easy Debugging: Simplify the debugging process by having your package and project co-located.
• Version Control: Develop your package alongside the main project, making it easier to track changes and manage versions.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Organize Your Directory Structure

Ensure your project has the following structure:

your-project/
├── composer.json
└── packages/
    └── vendor/
        └── package-name/
            ├── src/
            └── composer.json

2. Update Your composer.json

Modify the composer.json file in your main project to include the local package:

{
    "repositories": [
        {
            "type": "path",
            "url": "packages/vendor/package-name"
        }
    ],
    "require": {
        "vendor/package-name": "*"
    }
}

• The type is set to path, indicating a local directory.
• The url specifies the relative path to your package.
• Use "*" in the require section to accept any version found at the specified path.

3. Run Composer Update

Execute the following command in your main project's root:

composer update

Composer will then symlink (or copy) the local package into the vendor directory of your main project.

Best Practices for Local Package Development

While developing with local packages is convenient, remember:

• Not for Production: This method is intended for development, not for production environments.
• Version Control: Consider using Git submodules or a similar strategy to manage your local packages.
• Frequent Commits: Regularly commit changes to avoid losing work and to document your development process.

Conclusion

Developing Composer packages locally is an efficient way to streamline your workflow. By following the steps outlined above, you can test and refine your packages within the context of a real project, without the hassle of publishing to a repository. Remember to transition to a more formal package management approach as your package stabilizes and prepares for production use.

Happy coding! 🚀