Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@jovialcore
Last active November 27, 2025 11:40
Show Gist options
  • Select an option

  • Save jovialcore/e371c232b64c5b242d30b232ce522e6e to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Select an option

Save jovialcore/e371c232b64c5b242d30b232ce522e6e to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Today (26 Nov, 2025) is my first time using PHPStorm. I made short notes for commands and helpful tips.

PHPStorm personal notes (PC IS A MAC)

  1. cmd + shift (x2) : global search
  2. Alt + enter : code block specific helpful options.
  3. PHPStorm (PS) has a nice code navigation feature. Urgm…same experience I have with windsurf/vscode.
  4. Express testing by clicking on folders/specific tests’ methods. Nice. The command is ctrl + shift + R. Okay. This is super useful for running individual tests with less drag plus save me some clicks in my terminal.
  5. Generate tests class with AI assistants: alt + enter -> choose “AI actions” then generate tests.
  6. First-class X-debug support. You probably won’t need to use DD again…Well… I might be in the same DD category as you...haha!
  7. AI AI AI : PS has native AI assistant available for installation but I will be using, say, a different LLM at least, for now since i'm just getting my hands fresh on it.
  8. ….more to come.

Attached is a jetbrains 19 minutes guide for your reference: https://www.jetbrains.com/pages/phpstorm-getting-started/

Installing a Theme:

As a Night owl theme user, I wanted to retain my vscode like theme. Monokai isn't really my thing. One would ask: does theming matter ? Well I might want to say, urghm... but does design matter ? Does taste matter ? Well for an IDE, theme matters to me. Helps with that cognitive resonnance. My brain just doesn't feel the need to adjust to a new look and tries to decipher whats off!

To install Night owl Theme on PHPStorm, you want to first install the Material UI plugin, which after you proceed to install the theme. Type "Night owl" in the plugin/theme search bar and you should see it.

One More thing, Font !

....this is a developing story.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment