How does Atlas handle large PHP codebases without blowing context?

Atlas addresses large PHP codebases by fanning out audit tasks to parallel subagents. Each subagent operates in its own isolated session, processing only a specific slice of the repository. Only the subagent's concise conclusions, not raw file contents, are returned to the main session, effectively managing the context window for extensive PHP projects.

Can Atlas subagents run `PHPUnit` tests or `PHP-CS-Fixer`?

Yes, Atlas subagents of type `general` can execute real PHP toolchain commands. This includes running `vendor/bin/phpunit` to check test suites or `vendor/bin/php-cs-fixer fix --dry-run` to identify formatting violations. The `explore` subagent type is read-only and cannot run such commands, making it suitable for safe, non-modifying audits.

How does Atlas ensure safety when auditing and modifying PHP files?

Atlas ensures safety through several mechanisms. Every tool call is permission-gated, requiring explicit allow, ask, or deny rules. Before making any changes, Atlas drafts a plan in a read-only agent for approval. Crucially, every file edit, whether to a `.php` file or `composer.json`, generates a unified diff for your review and approval before it is written to disk.

What PHP-specific configurations does Atlas understand?

Atlas is designed to understand core PHP configurations. It reads your `composer.json` file to comprehend namespaces, autoloading configurations (PSR-4, PSR-0), and project dependencies. This allows Atlas to navigate your PHP project's structure intelligently and apply context-aware analysis and fixes.

How do I split an audit task for a PHP monorepo with Atlas?

For a PHP monorepo, you can split audit tasks by individual Composer packages or distinct application directories. For example, you might launch separate `task` calls for `packages/auth/src/`, `packages/billing/src/`, and `app/Http/Controllers/`. This ensures each subagent focuses on a manageable, independent part of the monorepo, preventing overlap and maximizing concurrency.

Can Atlas help fix `PSR-12` violations in PHP code?

Absolutely. After an audit identifies `PSR-12` violations, you can use Atlas's `edit` tool to apply fixes. Atlas can propose changes based on `PHP-CS-Fixer` rules, presenting a unified diff for your approval. This allows you to systematically correct formatting issues across your PHP codebase with full control over the modifications.

Audit a PHP Repository with Parallel Subagents in 2026

In 2026, PHP developers can sweep an entire repository for a class of problems without blowing the main session's context window by leveraging Atlas's parallel subagents. Atlas integrates directly with your PHP toolchain, understanding `composer.json` configurations, running `PHPUnit` tests, and applying `PHP-CS-Fixer` formatting, ensuring a native development experience.

How Atlas Audits PHP Codebases with Parallel Subagents

Atlas, in 2026, significantly enhances PHP repository audits by fanning out work to multiple subagents, preventing the main session's context window from overflowing. These subagents operate in isolated sessions, ensuring that only their final conclusions, not raw file dumps, return to your primary Atlas instance.

When auditing a large PHP codebase, the sheer volume of files and code can quickly exhaust a single AI agent's context window. Atlas addresses this by launching parallel subagents, each dedicated to a specific slice of the repository. For a read-only sweep, the `explore` subagent type is ideal, as it is deny-by-default and cannot make changes, providing a safe environment for identifying issues. If the audit requires running commands like `Composer install` or `PHPUnit` tests within the subagent's scope, the `general` subagent type can be used. Atlas builds its code index using AST declarations via tree-sitter, not blind line windows, which allows for a more precise understanding of PHP code structures, including classes, functions, and namespaces defined in `composer.json`'s `autoload` section. This capability ensures that subagents can accurately analyze specific PHP components without needing to load the entire project into memory.

Splitting PHP Audit Tasks for Concurrent Execution

To effectively audit a PHP repository, Atlas recommends splitting the task into independent slices, allowing multiple subagents to run concurrently. This approach, common in 2026, prevents subagents from overlapping and maximizes efficiency, whether by directory, Composer package, or specific coding standard rule.

The key to a successful parallel audit in PHP is to define clear, independent slices for each subagent. For instance, you might assign one subagent to audit the `src/Domain/` directory for specific architectural patterns, another to `src/Service/` for dependency injection issues, and a third to `tests/Unit/` for `PHPUnit` test coverage gaps. Each slice can correspond to a distinct Composer package within a monorepo, or focus on a particular `PSR-12` formatting violation across the entire codebase. Atlas's `task` tool is used to launch these subagents. By issuing multiple `task` calls together, Atlas ensures they run concurrently rather than sequentially, drastically reducing the total audit time. For example, you could launch three `task` calls simultaneously, each targeting a different part of your PHP application, such as `app/Http/`, `app/Models/`, and `app/Console/`.

Concrete PHP Commands and File Paths in an Atlas Audit

Atlas interacts directly with the PHP ecosystem, recognizing standard file paths and executing real commands like `Composer install` or `PHPUnit` tests. In 2026, this deep integration ensures that audit findings are grounded in the actual project setup, from `composer.json` to specific `src/` directories.

During an audit, Atlas subagents can be instructed to interact with your PHP project using its native tools. For example, an `explore` subagent might use `grep` to search for specific patterns in `src/` files or `glob` to list all `.php` files within a `vendor/` directory to check for outdated dependencies. If a `general` subagent is used, it can execute `Composer install` to ensure all dependencies are present before running `PHPUnit` tests with `vendor/bin/phpunit --testsuite Unit` to identify failing tests or `PHP-CS-Fixer` with `vendor/bin/php-cs-fixer fix --dry-run --rules=@PSR12` to detect formatting violations. Atlas reads your `composer.json` to understand namespaces and autoload configurations, allowing it to navigate your PHP project's structure intelligently. This concrete interaction with the PHP toolchain ensures that the audit is not just theoretical but practical and actionable, providing findings that directly relate to your project's operational state.

Reviewing and Approving Changes in PHP with Atlas

Atlas prioritizes safety and developer control, especially when auditing and fixing issues in PHP codebases. Every proposed change, from a `PHP-CS-Fixer` adjustment to a `PHPUnit` test fix, is presented as a unified diff for explicit approval before writing to disk, a standard practice in 2026.

After subagents complete their audit and return their findings, Atlas helps you consolidate these into a single `todowrite` list in the main session. When it's time to fix the identified issues, Atlas employs a robust review and approval process. Before any file edit is applied, Atlas computes a unified diff for every change and surfaces it for your approval. This applies whether the change is a simple refactor in a `src/Controller/` file or a more complex modification to a `tests/Feature/` test case. Furthermore, Atlas operates with permission-gated tool calls, meaning every action, such as running `Composer update` or modifying a `.php` file, is checked against allow, ask, or deny rules. Atlas also drafts a plan in a read-only plan agent and asks for approval before switching to a build agent, providing an additional layer of safety and transparency for PHP developers.

Step by step

01Identify independent slices of your PHP repository for auditing, such as `src/Domain/`, `src/Service/`, or specific Composer packages defined in `composer.json`.
02Launch multiple Atlas `task` calls concurrently, each targeting a specific slice with `subagent_type explore` for read-only sweeps, or `general` if commands like `vendor/bin/phpunit` need to run.
03Monitor each subagent's progress; Atlas will surface the child's error text verbatim if a task fails, or 'Task cancelled' if interrupted.
04Collect each subagent's final message, which summarizes their findings, and merge them into a single `todowrite` list in your main Atlas session.
05Use the Atlas `edit` tool to address the consolidated issues, reviewing the unified diff for each proposed change to your PHP files, `composer.json`, or `PHPUnit` tests.
06Approve the changes, allowing Atlas to apply fixes, potentially involving running `vendor/bin/php-cs-fixer fix` or updating `composer.json` dependencies.

Frequently asked questions

How does Atlas handle large PHP codebases without blowing context?: Atlas addresses large PHP codebases by fanning out audit tasks to parallel subagents. Each subagent operates in its own isolated session, processing only a specific slice of the repository. Only the subagent's concise conclusions, not raw file contents, are returned to the main session, effectively managing the context window for extensive PHP projects.
Can Atlas subagents run `PHPUnit` tests or `PHP-CS-Fixer`?: Yes, Atlas subagents of type `general` can execute real PHP toolchain commands. This includes running `vendor/bin/phpunit` to check test suites or `vendor/bin/php-cs-fixer fix --dry-run` to identify formatting violations. The `explore` subagent type is read-only and cannot run such commands, making it suitable for safe, non-modifying audits.
How does Atlas ensure safety when auditing and modifying PHP files?: Atlas ensures safety through several mechanisms. Every tool call is permission-gated, requiring explicit allow, ask, or deny rules. Before making any changes, Atlas drafts a plan in a read-only agent for approval. Crucially, every file edit, whether to a `.php` file or `composer.json`, generates a unified diff for your review and approval before it is written to disk.
What PHP-specific configurations does Atlas understand?: Atlas is designed to understand core PHP configurations. It reads your `composer.json` file to comprehend namespaces, autoloading configurations (PSR-4, PSR-0), and project dependencies. This allows Atlas to navigate your PHP project's structure intelligently and apply context-aware analysis and fixes.
How do I split an audit task for a PHP monorepo with Atlas?: For a PHP monorepo, you can split audit tasks by individual Composer packages or distinct application directories. For example, you might launch separate `task` calls for `packages/auth/src/`, `packages/billing/src/`, and `app/Http/Controllers/`. This ensures each subagent focuses on a manageable, independent part of the monorepo, preventing overlap and maximizing concurrency.
Can Atlas help fix `PSR-12` violations in PHP code?: Absolutely. After an audit identifies `PSR-12` violations, you can use Atlas's `edit` tool to apply fixes. Atlas can propose changes based on `PHP-CS-Fixer` rules, presenting a unified diff for your approval. This allows you to systematically correct formatting issues across your PHP codebase with full control over the modifications.

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