The Case for Single-File PHP Utilities
Deployment friction is the enemy of adoption. A tool that ships as a single .php file can be dropped onto any shared host and run instantly โ no composer, no npm, no build step.
Benefits
- Zero configuration
- Portable โ copy one file and done
- Auditable โ everything is in plain sight
- Fast โ no autoloaders or framework overhead
When to Break the Rule
Complex domain logic, large teams, or long-lived projects all benefit from modular architecture. Single-file is a pattern, not a dogma.