One of the most common pieces of feedback we hear from the PHP community is that the newcomer experience could use some improvement, and that we may be losing new users because of it. This is something that we as a community can address, and it's why The PHP Foundation made it part of our strategy document for the rest of 2026. Improving that experience matters a lot to us, because a better new user experience means more community growth and retention. We are launching the PHP Onboarding Initiative Special Interest Group to provide space for collaborative problem solving in this area.
Some of the identified issues in the PHP newcomer experience include:
- Where to begin: It is difficult for new PHP users to know where to start. There are many resources and tutorials available, but it is hard to know which ones are updated and accurate, and the sheer number of them is overwhelming. Building and helping people find resources that cater to their needs is something that would be helpful for newcomers.
- Minding the gap: The php.net Manual is a fantastic resource, but it is more of a reference than an educational resource for beginners that are learning to code. There is a current gap between documentation for complete beginners and users who already grasp the basics and use the manual differently.
- Limited presence in formal education: PHP is largely missing in universities and bootcamps. Although there are some places in the world where PHP (or a related framework/project) is taught, the presence of PHP is inconsistent. There won't be a "one-size-fits-all" approach to building more partnerships with educational institutions. But this is something that we can figure out together. (Also, this may overlap with the mission of the PHP Ambassadors Special Interest Group that has already launched.)
- Finding your people: The onboarding experience differs greatly among newcomers, with some having connections to the community, and others fending for themselves. It would be ideal if we could provide a more consistent approach to bringing newcomers together and connecting them with the community.
- Mentorship is hard to find: Although there have been previous attempts at mentorship programs, those have proven challenging to sustain. But research shows that mentorship can make all the difference when it comes to retaining users and turning them into potential contributors and community members, especially when it comes to those from marginalized and underrepresented groups.
- Installation process Ensuring that this process is as easy and straightforward as possible, and centering the experience of new users is something that we should continue to be mindful of. Because this will likely involve the php.net website, this is another potential overlap with the mission of the Marketing Subgroup of the PHP Ambassadors Special Interest Group.
These problems are not new and they aren't easy to solve, but one thing about the PHP community that I personally love is its dedication to sharing knowledge with new learners and helping newcomers find their way. This sense of community and support for newcomers is why many of us are still here (including myself!). Wouldn't it be great if we could come together and create a better and more consistent experience for newcomers to PHP?
If this is something that is of interest to you, we are hosting a kick-off meeting on Monday, August 24 at 13:00 UTC. To request an invite to this meeting, please register your interest using this form. Note: if you have already indicated your interest through this form, you do not need to submit it again.
If you cannot attend this meeting, that's okay! You are welcome to join the #the-php-foundation channel in the #phpc Discord server for access to this and the other Special Interest Group chats. We also have a GitHub repository where you can connect asynchronously.
The PHP Foundation
