Yes, you can run PHP files in VS Code by following these steps:Install PHP locally using XAMPP, php.net (Windows), Homebrew (macOS), or a package manager (Linux).Verify installation via terminal with php -v.Install the official PHP extension in VS Code for language support and debugging.Run PHP files directly from the integrated terminal using php yourfile.php.Optionally configure a custom task in tasks.json to automate execution with Ctrl Shift B.
Sure, here’s a practical and user-friendly guide for running PHP files using Visual Studio Code:

You can absolutely run PHP files in VS Code — and it's not complicated once you've got the right setup. The key is making sure PHP itself is installed and properly connected to VS Code.

Install PHP on Your System
Before anything else, make sure PHP is installed locally. Without PHP installed, VS Code won't be able to execute your .php
files.
- On Windows, you can use tools like XAMPP or download PHP directly from php.net and add it to your system PATH.
- On macOS, you can install PHP via Homebrew with
brew install php
. - On Linux, use your package manager: for example,
sudo apt install php
on Ubuntu.
Once installed, test it by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing:

php -v
If you see version info, you're good to go.
Set Up VS Code with PHP Extension
VS Code doesn’t come with built-in PHP support, but the official PHP Extension by Microsoft makes things much smoother.
- Open VS Code.
- Go to Extensions (Ctrl Shift X or Cmd Shift X).
- Search for "PHP".
- Click Install for the one published by Microsoft.
This extension gives you basic language features and helps with debugging later if needed.
Run a PHP File Directly from the Terminal
The simplest way to run a PHP file in VS Code is through the integrated terminal.
- Open your
.php
file in VS Code. - Open the Terminal (in the top menu: Terminal > New Terminal).
- Type:
php yourfile.php
Replace yourfile.php
with your actual filename. This runs the PHP interpreter on your script and shows any output.
Tip: You can also right-click your PHP file in the Explorer panel and choose "Open in Integrated Terminal" to jump straight to its directory.
Optional: Configure a Task to Run PHP Files Automatically
If you want a keyboard shortcut or menu option to run your current PHP file without typing the full command each time, you can set up a custom task.
- In VS Code, go to Terminal > Run Build Task (or press Ctrl Shift B).
- If no tasks are configured, it'll ask you to create a
tasks.json
file. - Use this sample configuration inside the tasks array:
{ "label": "Run PHP Script", "type": "shell", "command": "php", "args": ["${file}"], "group": { "kind": "build", "isDefault": true } }
Now pressing Ctrl Shift B will run the currently open PHP file.
That’s basically it. Once PHP is installed and linked to VS Code, running scripts becomes straightforward — whether through the terminal or with a custom task. It's simple, but easy to trip over if something like the PATH isn't set correctly.
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