How to Install All Alt-PHP Packages on CloudLinux

CloudLinux 8 allows hosting multiple PHP versions using Alt-PHP, giving administrators flexibility and control over PHP configurations. A common issue is that after installing an Alt-PHP version, only core modules appear in PHP Selector. Essential extensions like mbstring, gd, mysqlnd, and xml may be missing.

The fastest and most reliable way to install all PHP extensions for your Alt-PHP versions is:

yum -y groupinstall alt-php

⚠️ Important: This command must be run as root or using sudo to install system-wide packages.

Why Use yum -y groupinstall alt-php?

Installing a specific Alt-PHP version individually (for example, PHP 8.1):

yum install alt-php81-cli alt-php81-devel alt-php81-php-fpm

only installs the core packages, not the full set of extensions.

yum -y groupinstall alt-php installs:

• All core Alt-PHP packages (cli, fpm, common, devel)
• Common PHP extensions: mbstring, gd, xml, mysqlnd, pdo_mysql, intl, soap, opcache, and more
• Ensures PHP Selector displays the full module list

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Log in as Root

You must have root access to install Alt-PHP packages:

sudo -i

or log in directly as the root user.

Step 2: Verify CloudLinux Repositories

Check that CloudLinux repositories are active:

yum repolist | grep -i cloudlinux

You should see entries like:

• cloudlinux-8
• cl-ea4

If your server isn’t registered:

clnreg_ks --force

Step 3: Install All Alt-PHP Packages

Run the group install command:

yum -y groupinstall alt-php

This will install all core packages and extensions for all installed PHP versions.

Step 4: Refresh PHP Selector

After installation, update PHP Selector to recognize the new modules:

selectorctl --update

Step 5: Update CageFS (If Enabled)

If CageFS is enabled on your server:

cagefsctl --force-update
cagefsctl --remount-all

This ensures all users see the new PHP modules.

Step 6: Verify Installed Extensions

Check installed extensions for a specific PHP version:

/opt/alt/php81/usr/bin/php -m

You should now see:

• mbstring
• gd
• mysqlnd
• pdo_mysql
• xml
• intl
• soap
• opcache

Benefits

• Installs all Alt-PHP packages and extensions in one command
• Saves time compared to installing individual packages manually
• Ensures PHP Selector shows all available modules
• Compatible with multiple PHP versions
•  Works seamlessly with CageFS in shared hosting environments

Best Practices

• Always update repositories before installation:

yum clean all
yum makecache

• Run selectorctl --update and cagefsctl --force-update after installation
• Verify modules with /opt/alt/phpXX/usr/bin/php -m
• Repeat groupinstall when adding new PHP versions

Conclusion

yum -y groupinstall alt-php is the fastest and most reliable way to install all Alt-PHP packages and extensions on CloudLinux 8. Running the command with root privileges ensures full installation and proper PHP Selector integration, giving your server a complete, ready-to-use PHP environment.

 

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