Custom PHP Settings Pro

Custom PHP Settings Pro lets WordPress administrators review and edit supported PHP settings from the settings page. When you enable the option to update the configuration file, the extension writes selected values to the file used by the server.

PHP mode determines the configuration file

• Apache module: The add-on writes settings to .htaccess. The file must exist and be writable by the webserver.
• CGI or FastCGI: The plugin uses the custom INI file named by PHP’s user_ini.filename setting, commonly .visitor.ini. The PHP Information table shows the configured filename and the user_ini.cache_ttl value, which controls how long PHP may cache the file before reloading it. Place the custom INI file in the website root and make it writable by the webserver. Block public access to .user.ini.

Review settings and edition options

The settings table lists non-system PHP settings the plugin can customize. Modified values appear in red, including values changed elsewhere. For example, enabling WP_DEBUG in wp-config.php can affect the displayed error_reporting value. Directives marked PHP_INI_SYSTEM cannot be changed through the plugin.

Pro works with multiple named configurations, each with its own PHP settings. Select a saved configuration to apply its values to the relevant configuration file. Pro also supports custom environment variables when PHP runs as an Apache module and uses .htaccess. The Apache mod_env module must be enabled; the variables are then available through the $_SERVER superglobal.

Apply changes and check the result

1. Install and activate the plugin, then open its settings page in WordPress.
2. Review the available settings and confirm that the relevant configuration file exists and is writable by the webserver.
3. Choose supported values and enable the option to update the configuration file.
4. Verify the settings after PHP reloads the file. With a custom INI file, changes may remain cached until the configured cache period expires.

Check what each directive controls before changing it. An unsuitable variables_order value can prevent expected superglobals from being created, while a very low post_max_size can keep form data from reaching PHP. If a setting makes the website inaccessible, remove the plugin’s marked entries from the active .htaccess or .user.ini file.