🔒 DEVELOPER DOCUMENTATION

How to Encode & Protect PHP Code

Learn how to use native phpcube extension functions to encrypt your PHP scripts directly from the Linux CLI or Composer pipeline.

Active phpcube Loader

The phpcube.so extension must be active in your PHP CLI environment. Verify by running:

php -m | grep phpcube

Authorized license.lic

Place your signed license.lic file in your project root. The encoder extracts the unique product_key to encrypt your files.

ls -la license.lic

Run 1-Line Command

Execute your chosen encoding command below. Files are encrypted instantly with military-grade AES-256 + HMAC-SHA256.

php -r "phpcube_encode_dir('app');"

Encoding Methods & Command Reference

Select a method below to view the exact PHP CLI command for your workflow:

A. In-Place Directory Encoding

Encrypts all PHP files inside app/ and overwrites them with encrypted bytecode:

php -r "phpcube_encode_dir('app');"

B. Safe Target Output Directory (Recommended)

Preserves your original clean source code in app/ and outputs protected files into dist/app/:

php -r "phpcube_encode_dir('app', null, 'dist/app');"

A. Encode Array of Sensitive Files

Encrypt only proprietary controllers, billing modules, and core algorithm files:

php -r "phpcube_encode_files([
    'app/Services/PaymentGateway.php',
    'app/Services/LicenseService.php',
    'app/Helpers/Security.php'
]);"

B. Encode Single PHP File

Protect an individual script file:

php -r "phpcube_encode_file('app/Services/PaymentGateway.php');"

Encode from a File List (e.g. protected_files.txt)

Create a text file listing all files you wish to protect, one per line:

# protected_files.txt
app/Services/PaymentGateway.php
app/Services/Licensing/Verification.php
Modules/Billing/Http/Controllers/StripeController.php

Then run:

php -r "phpcube_encode_list('protected_files.txt');"

Automate via Composer

Add the encode command to your composer.json under scripts:

"scripts": {
    "encode": [
        "@php -r \"phpcube_encode_dir('app');\""
    ]
}

Now encode your application at any time by running:

composer encode

Visual Code Transformation

Compare plain PHP source code before and after encryption by phpcube:

❌ Before (Plain Source Code — Vulnerable to Theft) Plain PHP

<?php
namespace App\Services;

class PaymentGateway {
    // Plaintext business logic exposed!
    public function verifyClient($license) {
        return ($license->status === 'active');
    }
}

✓ After (phpcube Encrypted — 100% Protected) Encrypted Bytecode

<?php // phpcube v1.0.0 Encrypted - Tamper-Proof
// Zero-Disk RAM Execution | Requires phpcube Loader
/* PHPCUBE_PAYLOAD_START */
rO0ABXNyABFqYXZhLnV0aWwuSGFzaE1hcAUH2sWAnFFqAw...
8x4f9a0c1b2d3e4f5a6b7c8d9e0f1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c...
/* PHPCUBE_PAYLOAD_END */