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[Utility & Helpers](/categories/utility) 4. / 5. byjg/phpthread ActiveLibrary[Utility & Helpers](/categories/utility) byjg/phpthread ============== ByJG PHPThread simplifies working with threads and non-blocking code in PHP, bridging the gap for a language that was not inherently designed for threading. 6.0.0(5mo ago)726.9k↓75%[1 issues](https://github.com/byjg/php-phpthread/issues)MITPHPPHP >=8.3 <8.6CI passing Since Jan 9Pushed 2mo ago3 watchersCompare [ Source](https://github.com/byjg/php-phpthread)[ Packagist](https://packagist.org/packages/byjg/phpthread)[ RSS](/packages/byjg-phpthread/feed)WikiDiscussions master Synced 1mo ago READMEChangelog (9)Dependencies (6)Versions (14)Used By (0) sidebar\_key phpthread tags php concurrency ByJG PHPThread: Simplified Threads and Non-Blocking Code in PHP =============================================================== [](#byjg-phpthread-simplified-threads-and-non-blocking-code-in-php) ByJG PHPThread simplifies working with threads and non-blocking code in PHP, bridging the gap for a language that was not inherently designed for threading. [![Sponsor](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/fab14b7f7f475072ada0473f193d6f322561fd4a2958e0cc89910d053347cf27/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f53706f6e736f722d2532336561346161613f6c6f676f3d67697468756273706f6e736f7273266c6f676f436f6c6f723d7768697465266c6162656c436f6c6f723d306431313137)](https://github.com/sponsors/byjg)[![Build Status](https://github.com/byjg/php-phpthread/actions/workflows/phpunit.yml/badge.svg?branch=master)](https://github.com/byjg/php-phpthread/actions/workflows/phpunit.yml)[![Opensource ByJG](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/425c1bbccc0f292bf4d20569ae74a6b2e384fd648f1af8911bc61de9a8dcfc0b/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f6f70656e736f757263652d62796a672d737563636573732e737667)](http://opensource.byjg.com)[![GitHub source](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/88e61eb211719144efdd570290a0456b6e13099c2df8d973f1bb43fe33bf0039/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f4769746875622d736f757263652d696e666f726d6174696f6e616c3f6c6f676f3d676974687562)](https://github.com/byjg/php-phpthread/)[![GitHub license](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/b6a0d93038dfe60236b93dd1da54abcafecd657d54722569bcc2042f83d14e09/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f6769746875622f6c6963656e73652f62796a672f7068702d7068707468726561642e737667)](https://opensource.byjg.com/opensource/licensing.html)[![GitHub release](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/80eb93e62a340896ff8fa141f50be16a9237e807fff176c372afda21c79e116f/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f6769746875622f72656c656173652f62796a672f7068702d7068707468726561642e737667)](https://github.com/byjg/php-phpthread/releases/) --- Table of Contents ----------------- [](#table-of-contents) 1. [Overview](#overview) 2. [Why Threads in PHP?](#why-threads-in-php) 3. [How It Works](#how-it-works) - [Default PHP (Non-ZTS)](#default-php-non-zts) - [PHP ZTS (Zend Thread Safety)](#php-zts-zend-thread-safety) 4. [Features](#features) 5. [Limitations](#limitations) 6. [Installation](#installation) 7. [Dependencies](#dependencies) --- Overview -------- [](#overview) PHPThread is a polyfill library that abstracts threading functionality for PHP, providing a consistent interface regardless of the underlying PHP setup (ZTS or Fork). It empowers developers to implement thread-like behavior and asynchronous processing in PHP applications. --- Why Threads in PHP? ------------------- [](#why-threads-in-php) PHP is traditionally designed for a **request-response cycle**, where scripts are executed only in response to client requests and terminate after sending a response. While efficient for web applications, this architecture lacks native threading support for background or concurrent tasks. With PHPThread, you can overcome these limitations by leveraging: - **Forking (Default PHP)** for simulating threading. - **Zend Thread Safety (ZTS)** for true multi-threading environments. --- How It Works ------------ [](#how-it-works) ### Default PHP (Non-ZTS) [](#default-php-non-zts) In standard PHP installations (without ZTS), threading is simulated using the `fork` command. This approach creates a new process by cloning the parent process. While not a true thread, this method can approximate threading behavior. **Requirements:** - [pcntl](https://www.php.net/manual/en/book.pcntl.php): For process control. - [shmop](https://www.php.net/manual/en/book.shmop.php): For shared memory. --- ### PHP ZTS (Zend Thread Safety) [](#php-zts-zend-thread-safety) With ZTS-enabled PHP, true multi-threading becomes possible. This setup is ideal for production environments where robust threading is required. The ZTS version is compiled with the `--enable-zts` flag, but it may not be included in all PHP distributions. **Requirements:** - [parallel](https://www.php.net/manual/en/book.parallel.php): For multi-threading functionality. - [shmop](https://www.php.net/manual/en/book.shmop.php): For memory sharing. --- Features -------- [](#features) - **Thread Management**: Simplified thread creation and execution ([docs](docs/thread.md)). - **Thread Pools**: Efficiently manage and reuse threads for multiple tasks ([docs](docs/threadpool.md)). - **Promises**: Truly asynchronous and non-blocking task management with a JavaScript-like Promise API ([docs](docs/promises.md), [benchmark](docs/promises-benchmark.md)). Supported Promise Methods: - `then()`: Execute a callback on promise resolution. - `catch()`: Execute a callback on promise rejection. - `finally()`: Execute a callback after resolution or rejection. - `Promise::resolve()`: Resolve a promise. - `Promise::reject()`: Reject a promise. - `Promise::all()`: Wait for all promises to resolve. - `Promise::race()`: Wait for the first promise to resolve. --- Limitations ----------- [](#limitations) ### CLI Mode Only [](#cli-mode-only) :::caution Important This library **only works in CLI mode** (command-line interface). It **will NOT work** in web server environments such as: - PHP-FPM - Apache with mod\_php - Any other web server SAPI ::: **Why?** Both threading approaches used by this library require direct process control, which is unavailable in web server environments: - **pcntl extension** (used for forking): Disabled in web server contexts for security and stability reasons. The `pcntl_fork()` function and related process control functions only work in CLI mode. - **parallel extension** (used for true threading): Also requires CLI mode and is not available in web server SAPIs. Additionally, forking or creating threads within a web server process would interfere with the server's own process/thread management, potentially causing instability. **Use Cases:** This library is designed for: - CLI scripts and daemons - Background job processors - Command-line tools - Long-running CLI applications - Scheduled tasks (cron jobs) For web applications requiring asynchronous processing, consider using message queues (RabbitMQ, Redis, etc.) with background workers running in CLI mode. ### Forking and Data Sharing [](#forking-and-data-sharing) When simulating threads with `fork`, data cannot be returned directly from the child process to the parent. Use the `shmop` extension to share memory between processes. However: - **Avoid returning large or complex objects**, as this may cause memory exhaustion. --- Installation ------------ [](#installation) ### Requirements [](#requirements) #### Non-ZTS (Default PHP) [](#non-zts-default-php) - PHP ≥8.3 - `pcntl` extension - `shmop` extension #### ZTS (Zend Thread Safety) [](#zts-zend-thread-safety) - PHP ≥8.3 compiled with `--enable-zts` - `parallel` extension - `shmop` extension (for Promises support) ### Install via Composer [](#install-via-composer) ``` composer require byjg/phpthread ``` --- Dependencies ------------ [](#dependencies) ``` flowchart TD byjg/phpthread --> byjg/cache-engine ``` Loading --- [Open source ByJG](http://opensource.byjg.com) ### Health Score 54 — FairBetter than 97% of packages Maintenance76 Regular maintenance activity Popularity26 Limited adoption so far Community8 Small or concentrated contributor base Maturity88 Battle-tested with a long release history Bus Factor1 Top contributor holds 100% of commits — single point of failure How is this calculated?**Maintenance (25%)** — Last commit recency, latest release date, and issue-to-star ratio. Uses a 2-year decay window. **Popularity (30%)** — Total and monthly downloads, GitHub stars, and forks. Logarithmic scaling prevents top-heavy scores. **Community (15%)** — Contributors, dependents, forks, watchers, and maintainers. Measures real ecosystem engagement. **Maturity (30%)** — Project age, version count, PHP version support, and release stability. ### Release Activity Cadence Every ~331 days Recently: every ~337 days Total 13 Last Release 174d ago Major Versions 1.1.1 → 2.0.02016-07-23 2.3.0 → 5.0.02024-12-24 4.9.x-dev → 6.0.02025-11-25 PHP version history (4 changes)2.0.1PHP >5.2.7 2.1.0PHP >5.4 5.0.0PHP >=8.1 <8.4 6.0.0PHP >=8.3 <8.6 ### Community Maintainers ![](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/981924?v=4)[Joao Gilberto Magalhaes](/maintainers/byjg)[@byjg](https://github.com/byjg) --- Top Contributors [![byjg](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/981924?v=4)](https://github.com/byjg "byjg (124 commits)") ### Code Quality TestsPHPUnit Static AnalysisPsalm Type Coverage Yes ### Embed Badge ![Health badge](/badges/byjg-phpthread/health.svg) ``` [![Health](https://phpackages.com/badges/byjg-phpthread/health.svg)](https://phpackages.com/packages/byjg-phpthread) ``` ### Alternatives [ejsmont-artur/php-circuit-breaker PHP Circuit Breaker component 169964.9k4](/packages/ejsmont-artur-php-circuit-breaker)[topthink/think-helper The ThinkPHP6 Helper Package 962.4M241](/packages/topthink-think-helper) PHPackages © 2026 [Directory](/)[Categories](/categories)[Trending](/trending)[Changelog](/changelog)[Analyze](/analyze)