# Symfony — The PHP Framework for Reusable Components and Web Applications

> A set of decoupled PHP components and a full-stack framework for building robust web applications and APIs.

## Install

Save the content below to `.claude/skills/` or append to your `CLAUDE.md`:

# Symfony — The PHP Framework for Reusable Components and Web Applications

## Quick Use
```bash
composer create-project symfony/skeleton my-app
cd my-app
symfony server:start
```

## Introduction
Symfony is a PHP framework and a set of reusable components used by thousands of projects including Laravel, Drupal, and Magento. Created by SensioLabs in 2005, it follows a component-based architecture that lets developers use individual pieces or the full stack.

## What Symfony Does
- Provides 50+ standalone components for routing, HTTP handling, security, and more
- Generates full-stack web applications with MVC architecture
- Offers a built-in profiler and debug toolbar for development
- Handles dependency injection, event dispatching, and configuration automatically
- Supports API development via API Platform integration

## Architecture Overview
Symfony is built around an HTTP kernel that processes a Request object through an event-driven pipeline and returns a Response. Bundles package reusable functionality, while the dependency injection container wires services together. The framework uses a front-controller pattern where a single entry point (`index.php`) delegates to the router, which matches URLs to controller actions. Flex recipes automate bundle installation and configuration.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Requires PHP 8.2+ and Composer for dependency management
- Configure services in `config/services.yaml` using autowiring by default
- Environment variables are managed through `.env` files with per-environment overrides
- Deploy with standard PHP hosting, Docker, or Platform.sh which has native Symfony support
- Use `symfony check:requirements` to verify server compatibility

## Key Features
- Long-term support releases with three years of bug fixes and four years of security patches
- Maker bundle generates boilerplate for entities, controllers, and forms
- Twig templating engine with automatic output escaping
- Built-in security component handling authentication, authorization, and CSRF protection
- Messenger component for async message processing with queues

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Laravel** — More opinionated with Eloquent ORM and Blade templates; Symfony is more modular and component-oriented
- **CakePHP** — Convention-over-configuration PHP framework; Symfony offers more flexibility with its decoupled components
- **Spring Boot** — Similar enterprise focus but for Java; Symfony fills the same role in the PHP ecosystem
- **Django** — Python counterpart with batteries-included philosophy; Symfony matches this with its component library

## FAQ
**Q: What is the relationship between Symfony and Laravel?**
A: Laravel uses many Symfony components internally (Console, HttpFoundation, Routing, etc.) but provides its own API and conventions on top.

**Q: How long are Symfony versions supported?**
A: Standard releases get eight months of support. LTS releases get three years of bug fixes and four years of security fixes.

**Q: Can I use Symfony components without the full framework?**
A: Yes. Each component is a standalone Composer package installable independently.

**Q: Is Symfony suitable for APIs?**
A: Yes. Combined with API Platform, Symfony can generate REST and GraphQL APIs with auto-documentation.

## Sources
- https://github.com/symfony/symfony
- https://symfony.com

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/symfony-php-framework-reusable-components-web-applications-c2e6dabf
Author: Script Depot