# Getting Started with PHP

PHP is fully supported on VM Sandboxes and Repositories. It leverages [Docker](/content/docs/tutorial/getting-started-with-docker/index.html) to run a configurable PHP container, while also bringing LSP support through Intelephense, which includes auto-formatting, auto-linting and type definitions.

In this tutorial, we will showcase two different approaches you can use to get started with PHP in CodeSandbox: starting from a template or importing an existing PHP project.

## Starting from a template [Permalink for this section](/content/docs/tutorial/getting-started-with-php#starting-from-a-template/index.html)

CodeSandbox provides a growing collection of PHP templates that may be useful depending on your use case.

In case you want a fresh, blank environment to start building a project from scratch, you can use our [PHP starter (opens in a new tab)](/content/p/sandbox/php-starter-ygkev0/index.html). Otherwise, you will find our existing PHP templates in the [template library (opens in a new tab)](/content/d/index.html).

After forking one of these templates, you can open a [terminal](/content/docs/learn/repositories/terminal/index.html) (which you can find under DevTools, on the top right) to run `php` commands.

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CodeSandbox terminals are collaborative, meaning that if you share the link of your PHP sandbox/repository with someone, you can collaborate on the same terminal!

## Importing an existing repository [Permalink for this section](/content/docs/tutorial/getting-started-with-php#importing-an-existing-repository/index.html)

You can also import one of your existing PHP repositories from GitHub into CodeSandbox by following the steps below.

### 1. Import repository [Permalink for this section](/content/docs/tutorial/getting-started-with-php#1-import-repository/index.html)

From the CodeSandbox dashboard, click "Import from GitHub" and input the URL of your repository. If you are missing the required permissions, you should get a prompt asking you to update them.

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You can also type your repo without the GitHub URL (e.g. “codesandbox/test-sandbox”) to import the repo.

### 2. Rebuild the container [Permalink for this section](/content/docs/tutorial/getting-started-with-php#2-rebuild-the-container/index.html)

As mentioned above, CodeSandbox relies on a Dockerfile to run PHP.

After importing your repository, you won't be able to immediately run `php` commands. First, you need to rebuild the container.

To do that, open any `.php` file and you will see a prompt appear, asking if you want to create a Dockerfile. Click "Create Dockerfile".

CodeSandbox will create this file and set up PHP. The first time when you do this step, it can take a while. However, after this setup, we will create a memory snapshot of the VM, which will ensure that the following VM loads (& clones!) will be fast.

### 3. Use the container [Permalink for this section](/content/docs/tutorial/getting-started-with-php#3-use-the-container/index.html)

Now that the container has been built, all your new terminal sessions will be executed from inside this container, which is running PHP. You can test this by opening a new [terminal](/content/docs/learn/repositories/terminal/index.html), and verifying that `php` is installed.

If this is your first time using CodeSandbox, keep reading on how to [set up your sandbox](/content/docs/learn/getting-started/your-first-sandbox/index.html) or [repository](/content/docs/learn/getting-started/setting-up-repository/index.html).