Customize build execution by configuring properties externally

A Phing build file normally contains property elements that can be configured either manually in the build file itself or externally, in the Phing Build tool window. Properties that are configured externally are passed to Phing through a command line when build execution is launched and therefore they are every time re-calculated dynamically. Externally configured properties always override the ones set manually in the build file.

Install the PHP and Phing plugins

This functionality relies on the PHP and Phing plugins that should be installed and enabled in your IDE.

The plugins are available only in IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate.

Press Ctrl+Alt+S to open the IDE settings and select Plugins.
Switch to the Marketplace tab and use the search field to find the PHP and Phing plugins.
Click Install and restart the IDE if prompted.

Accessing Phing Build tool window

Open a Phing build file in the editor or select it in the Project tool window, and then choose Add as Phing build file from the context menu of the selection.
Choose View | Tool Windows | Phing Build from the main menu. The tool window can be accessed after you have opened it through the context menu of a Phing build file in the editor or in the Project tool window.

Configuring a property externally

Open the Phing Build tool window.
Select the required build file in the list and click the Settings button on the toolbar.
In the Phing Settings dialog that opens, switch to the Properties tab and configure a list or properties to be passed to Phing through a command line.
1. To add a new property to the list, click the Add button.
2. In the Property field, type the name of the property.
3. In the Value field, specify the property value to be passed. Do one of the following:
  - Type the value manually.
  - To use IntelliJ IDEA macros, click the Insert macro button and configure a list of relevant macro definitions in the Macros dialog that opens. To add a macro, select it in the list and click Insert.
When the list of properties is ready, click OK in the Phing Settings dialog.

Last modified: 01 August 2022