{"url":"https:\/\/docs.flightphp.com\/en\/v3\/","title":"about","type":"markdown","content":"# Flight PHP Framework\n\nFlight is a fast, simple, extensible framework for PHP\u2014built for developers who want to get things done quickly, with zero fuss. Whether you're building a classic web app, a blazing-fast API, or pairing with AI coding assistants, Flight's low footprint and straightforward design make it a perfect fit. Flight is meant to be lean, but can also handle enterprise architecture requirements.\n\n## Why Choose Flight?\n\n- **Beginner Friendly:** Flight is a great starting point for new PHP developers. Its clear structure and simple syntax help you learn web development without getting lost in boilerplate.\n- **Loved by Pros:** Experienced devs love Flight for its flexibility and control. You can scale from a tiny prototype to a full-featured app without switching frameworks.\n- **Backwards Compatible:** We value your time. Flight v3 is an augmentation of v2, keeping almost all of the same API. We believe in evolution, not revolution\u2014no more \"breaking the world\" every time a major version comes out.\n- **Zero Dependencies:** Flight's core is completely dependency-free\u2014no polyfills, no external packages, not even PSR interfaces. This means fewer attack vectors, a smaller footprint, and no surprise breaking changes from upstream dependencies. Optional plugins may include dependencies, but the core will always stay lean and secure.\n- **AI Friendly:** Flight's small API surface and the [official skeleton](https:\/\/github.com\/flightphp\/skeleton) (one layout, `AGENTS.md`, constructor injection) make it easy for AI coding tools to stay on-pattern. Same codebase whether you type every line or pair with an agent. [Learn more about using AI with Flight](\/learn\/ai).\n\n## Video Overview\n\n<div class=\"flight-block-video\">\n  <div class=\"row\">\n    <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 position-relative video-wrapper\">\n      <iframe class=\"video-bg\" width=\"100vw\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VCztp1QLC2c?si=W3fSWEKmoCIlC7Z5\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 fs-5 text-center mt-5 pt-5\">\n      <span class=\"flight-title-video\">Simple enough, right?<\/span>\n      <br>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.flightphp.com\/learn\">Learn more<\/a> about Flight in the documentation!\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n## Quick Start\n\nTo do a fast bare bones install, install it with Composer:\n\n```bash\ncomposer require flightphp\/core\n```\n\nOr you can download a zip of the repo [here](https:\/\/github.com\/flightphp\/core). Then you'd have a basic `index.php` file like the following:\n\n```php\n<?php\n\n\/\/ if installed with composer\nrequire 'vendor\/autoload.php';\n\/\/ or if installed manually by zip file\n\/\/ require 'flight\/Flight.php';\n\nFlight::route('\/', function() {\n  echo 'hello world!';\n});\n\nFlight::route('\/json', function() {\n  Flight::json([\n\t'hello' => 'world'\n  ]);\n});\n\nFlight::start();\n```\n\nThat's it! You have a basic Flight application. You can now run this file with `php -S localhost:8000` and visit `http:\/\/localhost:8000` in your browser to see the output.\n\nShort `Flight::` examples like this are great for learning and micro apps. For a full project layout that humans and AI tools share, use the skeleton below.\n\n## Skeleton\/Boilerplate App\n\nThere's an official starter to help you begin any new Flight project. It sets up structure, config, Composer scripts, and AI-friendly instructions out of the gate.\n\nCheck out [flightphp\/skeleton](https:\/\/github.com\/flightphp\/skeleton) for a ready-to-go project, or visit the [examples](examples) page for inspiration. Want the AI workflow details? [Explore AI & developer experience](\/learn\/ai).\n\nWhat you get (high level):\n\n- **`App\\` namespaces** with PascalCase folders (`app\/Controller\/`, `app\/Middleware\/`, `app\/Model\/`, \u2026)\u2014folder **case** must match the namespace (see [Autoloading](\/learn\/autoloading))\n- **Dice + `Engine` injection** so controllers stay testable (prefer `$this->app` over `Flight::` in app code)\n- **Twig** views, **SimplePdo** + ActiveRecord sample, Runway **migrate**\n- Root **`AGENTS.md`** (plus scoped copies) and **`SECURITY.md`** for assistants and security policy\n\n## Installing the Skeleton App\n\nEasy enough!\n\n```bash\n# Create the new project\ncomposer create-project flightphp\/skeleton my-project\/\n# Enter your new project directory\ncd my-project\/\n# Bring up the local dev-server to get started right away!\ncomposer start\n```\n\nIt creates the project structure, copies `config_sample.php` \u2192 `config.php` (and `.env.example` \u2192 `.env` when present), and you're ready to go. Optional sample data:\n\n```bash\nphp runway migrate\n# then visit \/posts and \/api\/posts\n```\n\n## High Performance\n\nFlight is one of the fastest PHP frameworks out there. Its lightweight core means less overhead and more speed\u2014perfect for both traditional apps and modern AI-assisted workflows. You can see all the benchmarks at [TechEmpower](https:\/\/www.techempower.com\/benchmarks\/#section=data-r18&hw=ph&test=frameworks)\n\nSee the benchmark below with some other popular PHP frameworks.\n\n| Framework | Plaintext Reqs\/sec | JSON Reqs\/sec |\n| --------- | ------------ | ------------ |\n| Flight      | 190,421    | 182,491 |\n| Yii         | 145,749    | 131,434 |\n| Fat-Free    | 139,238    | 133,952 |\n| Slim        | 89,588     | 87,348  |\n| Phalcon     | 95,911     | 87,675  |\n| Symfony     | 65,053     | 63,237  |\n| Lumen       | 40,572     | 39,700  |\n| Laravel     | 26,657     | 26,901  |\n| CodeIgniter | 20,628     | 19,901  |\n\n\n## Flight and AI\n\nCurious how Flight pairs with coding LLMs? [Discover](\/learn\/ai) how `AGENTS.md`, Runway `ai:*` commands, and the skeleton layout keep assistants on the rails.\n\n## Stability and Backwards Compatibility\n\nWe value your time. We've all seen frameworks that completely reinvent themselves every couple of years, leaving developers with broken code and expensive migrations. Flight is different. Flight v3 was designed as an augmentation of v2, which means that the API you know and love hasn't been stripped away. In fact, most v2 projects will work without any changes in v3. \n\nWe're committed to keeping Flight stable so you can focus on building your app, not fixing your framework. The skeleton can be opinionated for *new* projects; core APIs stay familiar for everyone else.\n\n# Community\n\nWe're on Matrix Chat\n\n[![Matrix](https:\/\/img.shields.io\/matrix\/flight-php-framework%3Amatrix.org?server_fqdn=matrix.org&style=social&logo=matrix)](https:\/\/matrix.to\/#\/#flight-php-framework:matrix.org)\n\nAnd Discord\n\n[![](https:\/\/dcbadge.limes.pink\/api\/server\/https:\/\/discord.gg\/Ysr4zqHfbX)](https:\/\/discord.gg\/Ysr4zqHfbX)\n\n# Contributing\n\nThere are two ways you can contribute to Flight:\n\n1. Contribute to the core framework by visiting the [core repository](https:\/\/github.com\/flightphp\/core).\n2. Help make the docs better! This documentation website is hosted on [Github](https:\/\/github.com\/flightphp\/docs). If you spot an error or want to improve something, feel free to submit a pull request. We love updates and new ideas\u2014especially around AI and new tech!\n\n# Requirements\n\nFlight requires PHP 7.4 or greater.\n\n**Note:** PHP 7.4 is supported because at the current time of writing (2024) PHP 7.4 is the default version for some LTS Linux distributions. Forcing a move to PHP >8 would cause a lot of heartburn for those users. The framework also supports PHP >8.\n\n# License\n\nFlight is released under the [MIT](https:\/\/github.com\/flightphp\/core\/blob\/master\/LICENSE) license.\n"}