PHP zero-code instrumentation

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OpenTelemetry provides two zero-code instrumentation approaches for PHP:

Auto-instrumentationPHP Distro
InstallComposer + PECL extensionOS package (deb, rpm, apk)
PlatformLinux, macOS, WindowsLinux only
SetupComposer autoloadingInstall package, restart PHP
ControlFull manual controlOpinionated defaults
Best forFlexible environments, custom configProduction Linux deployments

Choose auto-instrumentation

Use PHP zero-code auto-instrumentation when you:

  • Already use Composer
  • Need to run on macOS or Windows
  • Want maximum control over instrumentation and configuration

Choose PHP Distro

Use OpenTelemetry PHP Distro when you:

  • Deploy to Linux and want a package-managed install (deb, rpm, apk)
  • Need zero-code onboarding without touching application code or Composer
  • Want production-tuned defaults (background export, inferred spans, OpAMP)

PHP zero-code instrumentation

OpenTelemetry PHP Distro

Production-ready, zero-code OpenTelemetry instrumentation for PHP, delivered as native Linux packages.