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phpDocumentor

phpdoc.org

Free plan macOSLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.6 #18 of 37 in Documentation Generators

What it is

phpDocumentor is a free, open-source, self-hosted tool for analyzing PHP source code and DocBlock comments to produce API documentation. It can generate UML diagrams, parse Markdown and reStructuredText, and insert API-documentation sections into reStructuredText material. The site says full-text search works offline and describes CI integration through a GitHub Action or Docker image. Installation options include Docker, Phive, and a PHAR file; standalone installation requires PHP 8.1.2 or newer plus mbstring, while PlantUML is optional. The official Docker image supplies dependencies locally. The project also offers Composer-installable components for parsing, rendering, type resolution, and PHP reflection. It runs on Linux and macOS. Its Docker Hub overview does not actively support direct Composer installation because dependency conflicts may occur. No paid plans are listed; the plan costs nothing.

Spec sheet

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

Plans and prices

phpDocumentor Free Open-source PHP documentation tool; no paid plans listed on the opened official pages Read 8 Oct 2026 · phpdoc.org

Every phpDocumentor plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Generates API documentation from PHP code
  • Creates UML diagrams
  • Supports Markdown and reStructuredText
  • Works with GitHub Actions or Docker
  • Offers standalone reusable components

Limits

  • Standalone use requires PHP 8.1.2 and mbstring
  • Direct Composer installation is not actively supported
  • PlantUML is optional but separate
  • No paid support plan is listed

Who it suits

phpDocumentor suits PHP developers and teams maintaining self-hosted documentation workflows. It is useful when documentation generation, diagrams, offline search, or CI integration are required.

Verdict

phpDocumentor covers code-derived PHP documentation with several installation paths and CI options. Docker avoids local dependency installation, while direct Composer use carries an explicit support warning.

Where Specifiction places it

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