Released: Apr 16, 2025

Updates in 2025.1

Features

PHP

• Code completion for phpstan-type and phpstan-import-type
  • This release improves PhpStorm’s PHPStan annotation support, introducing code completion for array shape aliases in phpstan-type and phpstan-import-type. Using the local type aliases defined in PHPDoc’s phpstan-type annotation (or referenced in the phpstan-import-type annotation), the IDE autocompletes array keys in class bodies.
• Support for nested variables in .env files
  • Version 2025.1 extends PhpStorm’s .env file support to include nested variables syntax. Code completion, navigation between declarations and usages, inspections, and quick-fixes now also work for environment variables wrapped in ${…}.

AI Assistant

• Alongside PhpStorm, JetBrains AI Assistant has received a major update. Now, all JetBrains AI features are available for free in PhpStorm and other JetBrains IDEs, offering unlimited access to code completion and local model support, with credit-based limits for other features.
• JetBrains are also introducing a new subscription system that makes it easy to scale up as needed with the AI Pro and AI Ultimate tiers.
• Expanded selection of LLMs in chat
  • The AI model selection in the chat has just been expanded. Now, you can take full control of your AI experience by choosing from the latest and most advanced language models, including:
    • Claude 3.7 Sonnet.
    • OpenAI GPT-4.1 (сoming soon).
    • Gemini 2.0 Flash.
• Improved context awareness in chat
  • Local and cloud LLMs can now leverage PhpStorm’s indexing data on the PHP methods used in your project. This allows AI Assistant to improve the quality and relevance of code snippets generated in the chat.
• Offline mode: Work with local models
  • AI Assistant gives you the flexibility to work with local models offline or leverage cloud-based AI processing. With the new offline mode, you can now work without an internet connection while still benefiting from AI-powered coding assistance. Use local models via Ollama or LM Studio for chat, code generation, commit messages, inline documentation, and more.
• Multi-file changes in edit mode - Beta
  • AI Assistant now supports multi-file edits in the chat, suggesting changes across your project while leveraging retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to locate the most relevant files. Reduce repetitive tasks and implement modifications across multiple files with a single interaction.
• Apply snippets from chat
  • Now, when the AI chat suggests a code snippet, you can use the Apply button to automatically find the optimal place to insert the newly generated code – no more manual copy-pasting.
• Smarter AI context awareness
  • AI Assistant now understands your entire project better, using advanced RAG to surface the most relevant files, methods, and classes. In addition, the context now includes recently accessed files, making interactions even more relevant to your workflow. Because you can now also add or remove attachments sent as context, you maintain full control over the AI’s context.
• Exclude files from AI context
  • You can further enhance your control over what AI Assistant sees by configuring an .aiignore file. This allows you to prevent JetBrains AI from accessing specific files or folders, ensuring that sensitive information is never processed.
• Web search from chat
  • With the new /web command, AI Assistant can now fetch documentation, troubleshooting tips, and the latest technical resources directly from the web – right inside your chat window.
• Attached schemas in the Explain with AI chat
  • Explanations are more effective when they use all the relevant context. Now, when you ask AI Assistant to explain a query, the corresponding schema is automatically attached to the chat.

Debugging

• Option to install Xdebug from the CLI Interpreters window
  • PhpStorm simplifies Xdebug setup in many ways, including by detecting when the debugger is not installed for the PHP interpreter that’s in use. If Xdebug is missing, in PhpStorm 2025.1, you can have it downloaded and installed automatically right from the CLI Interpreters dialog.
• Xdebug Helper browser extension now maintained by JetBrains
  • JetBrains has teamed up with Fraser Chapman to publish and maintain an official Xdebug toggler for Chrome and Firefox browsers. The Xdebug Helper by JetBrains extension is open source and developed by Fraser, but committing to its testing and release allows JetBrains to make sure you are provided with reliable tools for interruption-free debugging.

WordPress

• WordPress support on project startup
  • In order to provide support for WordPress projects, PhpStorm needs to know the path to the WordPress core installation on your machine. While you were previously prompted to specify this path manually on project startup, starting with version 2025.1, PhpStorm attempts to discover the path and automatically enables support for the WordPress framework.

Frontend

• Improved Vue and Nuxt support
  • PhpStorm now makes it easier to start new Vue projects with Nuxt CLI (nuxi) integration in the New Project wizard, allowing for a smoother setup experience. JetBrains have also improved support for Vue’s global properties by correctly resolving custom properties added through module augmentation. Additionally, issues with autocomplete and auto-import for packaged components declared with __VLS_WithTemplateSlots have been fixed, ensuring a more reliable development experience in Vue projects.
• Better monorepo support
  • PhpStorm now respects Prettier configs per subproject, offers smarter auto-imports and path alias resolution via improved exports handling, and delivers faster code completion and navigation in large Nx workspaces. Enjoy a more consistent and efficient coding experience across all your projects.

User Experience

• New terminal architecture - Beta
  • The 2025.1 release introduces a reworked terminal architecture, which is available in Beta. The terminal now runs on a stable, standards-compliant core and uses the IDE’s editor to render the UI.
• Search functionality in Markdown previews
  • In PhpStorm 2025.1, you can search within Markdown previews. Since README.md previews are often the first thing you see when opening or cloning a project, this update makes it easier to find key information instantly.
• Native OS file dialogs on Windows
  • PhpStorm now defaults to using native Windows file dialogs instead of the IDE’s custom implementation. This gives you a more familiar experience when opening or saving files.
• Commit experience updates
  • JetBrains are refining the non-modal commit workflow, the default built-in option, in response to the extensive feedback received during the Early Access Program. The modal commit interface is becoming a plugin, which can be activated in Settings | Advanced Settings | Version Control. Git. In version 2025.1, the plugin will be bundled with the IDE, so you’ll be able to continue using the interface without having to install it manually.