Create a phprc file via SSH

This article walks you through creating a phprc file via SSH, which allows you to customize your website's PHP settings.

Background

Every installation of PHP comes with default settings that function well for most websites. However, in some situations, it may be necessary to adjust these settings to suit a specific website's needs. This can be accomplished by creating and customizing a php.ini (phprc) file to adjust the PHP settings.

Before you begin

Please be aware of the following before customizing your settings.

Terminology

The standard term for a PHP configuration file is php.ini. However, DreamHost uses the term phprc file instead. This acts the same way – only the name is different. In this article, only the term 'phprc' is used.

Creating the file

You can create a phprc file using an FTP client, or for more advanced users, by logging into the server via SSH. An FTP client is recommended for beginners as it provides a visual interface to navigate and edit files.

This article is for more advanced users who want to create this file via SSH.

What websites use these settings?

The phprc file you create is used for any domains under a specific username that are also running the same version of PHP.

For example, if the user has three domains where two are running PHP 8.2 and the third is running PHP 8.3, only the first two domains running 8.2 would be affected by the phprc 8.2 file. You would need to create a separate phprc 8.3 file for the PHP 8.3 site.

1. Log into your server via SSH.
2. Confirm you're in your user's directory by typing in pwd:

   [server]$ pwd 
   /home/username

3. Run the following command to change into the .phprc directory:

   [server]$ cd ~/.php

   If you find this directory does not exist under your user, you can simply create the .php directory along with the nested subdirectories for any PHP versions you are using.

   3.1 - Use the mkdir command to create the .php directory.

   [server]$ mkdir ~/.php

   3.2 - Change into this new directory.

   [server]$ cd ~/.php

   3.3 - Create any subdirectories for the specific version of PHP you're creating a phprc file for.

   [server]$ mkdir 8.3

4. Change into the directory of the PHP version your site is using:

   [server]$ cd 8.3

5. Create the phprc file without an extension. This example uses a program called nano to edit the file.
6. Run the following to create the phprc file.

   [server]$ nano phprc

   The nano text editor opens.

7. Edit the file with your PHP customizations. Make sure to add your customizations below the following lines created by DreamHost.

   ; {{{ The following lines were automatically added by DreamHost
   zend_extension=opcache.so
   ; }}} That's all from DreamHost

   Do not add any lines within the beginning and ending semicolons. If you place your code within the semicolons, it will be overwritten by the server.

8. Close the file and return to your shell.

Killing off all running PHP processes ensures your new settings are updated. See this article for instructions.

After you've edited the file and killed off all PHP processes, you should check to confirm the values have updated. You can do this by creating a phpinfo.php file.

If you do not see your changes have updated, try killing off your PHP processes again.