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Declaring compatibility

Tell users and tools which Exponential and PHP versions a theme release works with - composer.json require, the README's requirements, extension.xml dependencies and the release notes - consistently.

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Address: https://doc.exponential.earth/exphelp/viewer/help/designers/lifecycle/declaring-compatibility.md

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Declaring compatibility

This page is for designers releasing a theme. Compatibility is stated in several places; they must agree.

Where it goes

PlaceRead byExample
composer.json require.phpComposer, which refuses an install on another PHP"php": "^8.0"
composer.json require / suggestComposerExtensions the theme needs or works better with (require and suggest)
extension.xml <dependencies>The kernel's loading order<requires> an extension (Declaring dependencies)
README "Requirements"People"Exponential 6.0 (tested with 6.0.15), PHP 8.0 to 8.5"
Release notesPeople updating"Tested with ..." when it changed
Compatibility matrixPeople choosing a versionA compatibility matrix

Step by step for a release

  1. Take the versions from your upgrade test (Upgrade testing, step by step).
  2. Update require.php if the range changed. Raising the minimum is a change users must notice: say it in the notes, and consider whether it deserves a higher position in the version number (Choosing a version number).
  3. Update the README and the matrix.
  4. Run composer validate.

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Documentation license

This documentation is free documentation, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 or later.

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