rector

Run rector

$ vendor/bin/rector process [src/]

$ vendor/bin/rector process [src/] --dry-run

$ vendor/bin/rector process [src/] --config [rector.php]

$ vendor/bin/rector list-rules

$ vendor/bin/rector init

$ vendor/bin/rector process --clear-cache

$ vendor/bin/rector process [src/File.php]

rector command [--dry-run] [--config file] [options] [paths]

Rector performs automated refactoring of PHP codebases, applying rule-based transformations to upgrade syntax, modernize framework usage, and enforce code quality standards. It parses PHP files into an abstract syntax tree and applies configured rules to transform old constructs into their modern equivalents, handling PHP version upgrades (e.g., PHP 7.4 to 8.2) and framework migration (Symfony, Laravel, PHPUnit) automatically.
The --dry-run flag previews all changes without modifying files, making it safe to review transformations before applying them. Rules are organized into sets for common upgrade paths, and custom rules can be written for project-specific refactoring patterns. The tool is typically configured through a rector.php file that specifies which rule sets and individual rules to apply.

process

Run refactoring.

Create config file.

Show available rules.

Show changes without applying.

Configuration file.

Clear cache.

Verbose output.

rector.php

Main configuration file defining rule sets, individual rules, paths to process, and skip patterns. Generated by rector init.

Review dry-run output carefully. Complex code may need manual fixes. Git commit before running.

Rector was created by Tomas Votruba for automated PHP refactoring. It enables safe, large-scale codebase modernization.

phpstan(1), php-cs-fixer(1), phpcs(1)