Sunset PECL View as Markdown

Introduction

PIE is stable, and actively maintained by the PHP Foundation. In 2025, the RFC to adopt PIE and deprecate PECL passed, which stated that a follow-up RFC should be made to propose a timeline for sunsetting PECL.

This RFC sets out a proposed timeline and approach to sunsetting PECL.

The process will first announce the timeline, followed by making pecl.php.net read-only. After a set of brownouts (including Windows downloads), the site will be shut down at the end of 2029, with its repositories archived.

NOTE: PECL removal from `php-src` was already covered by the End PEAR endorsement RFC

Proposal

The sunsetting of PECL is proposed to follow these steps:

1. On Monday 4th January 2027, add a banner on the PECL website that the PECL site will be made read-only on Wednesday 30th June 2027, with information for extension authors on how to migrate to using PIE.
2. On Wednesday 30th June 2027, make the PECL website entirely read-only. No-one will be able to log in to the site any more, and no-one will be able to upload any new releases. The site banner should be updated to indicate this is read-only now, and that on Monday 31st December 2029, the site will be shut down after a series of brownouts.
3. A series of brownouts, increasing in length, will take place to help raise awareness of PECL shutting down. Communication (such as mailing lists, GitHub issues, etc.) should be monitored, and information provided on the imminent shutdown of PECL. The brownouts are:
   • Monday 3rd September 2029: 3 hours
   • Monday 1st October 2029: 6 hours
   • Monday 5th November 2029: 24 hours
   • Monday 3rd December 2029 to Thursday 6th December 2029: 3 days
4. On Monday 31st December 2029, the PECL website will be shut down.
5. Once pecl.php.net is shut down, the PECL tool and website git repositories will be marked as archived.

Backward Incompatible Changes

PECL will stop working. PIE must be used going forward.

Proposed PHP Version(s)

n/a - the proposal is tied to a timeline rather than PHP releases

RFC Impact

To the Ecosystem

PECL will stop working entirely by the end of the shutdown phase, on Monday 31st December 2029.

To Existing Extensions

Extension authors will no longer be able to make new PECL releases, from 30th June 2027.

Any extension that has not migrated to PIE will no longer be installable with PECL, from 31st December 2029.

Voting Choices

Primary Vote requiring a 2/3 majority to accept the RFC:

Vote: Adopt the sunset timeline to shut down PECL — Yes: 0 · No: 0 · Abstain: 0 (closed)

References

• https://externals.io/rfc/adopt_pie_deprecate_pecl
• https://externals.io/rfc/end_pear_endorsement
• https://news-web.php.net/php.internals/128536

Changelog

• initial version