Project History
This page documents the history of the cuppett/php-k8s fork and its relationship with the upstream renoki-co/php-k8s project.
Timeline
2020: Upstream Project Created
The original renoki-co/php-k8s project was created by Alex Renoki, providing a PHP-native way to interact with Kubernetes clusters.
Key Features:
- PHP-based Kubernetes client
- Support for core Kubernetes resources
- YAML import/export
- Watch API implementation
- Laravel integration
2021-2023: Growth and Maturity
The upstream project grew to support:
- Multiple Kubernetes versions
- Expanded resource types
- Improved authentication methods
- WebSocket operations (exec, attach, logs)
- JSON Patch support
2024: Fork Created
The cuppett/php-k8s fork was created to:
- Continue Active Development - Ensure ongoing maintenance and support
- Modernize for PHP 8.3+ - Leverage new language features
- Enhance Type Safety - Add enums and strict type hints
- Expand Documentation - Provide comprehensive guides and examples
Current State
Both projects continue to exist:
- Upstream (
renoki-co/php-k8s) - Original project by Alex Renoki - Fork (
cuppett/php-k8s) - PHP 8.3+ modernized version by Stephen Cuppett
Rationale for Fork
Why Fork Instead of Contributing Upstream?
The decision to fork was made after considering several factors:
- PHP Version Requirements - Breaking changes for PHP 8.3+ minimum
- Enum Migration - Significant API changes from strings to enums
- Maintenance Velocity - Need for faster iteration and updates
- Modern Features - Full adoption of PHP 8.3+ features
- Community Needs - Specific requirements for active Kubernetes users
Strategic Independence
The fork provides:
- Decoupled Release Cycle - Independent versioning and releases
- Modern PHP Focus - Commitment to latest PHP versions
- Documentation Ownership - Self-hosted comprehensive docs
- Community Control - Direct responsiveness to user needs
Relationship with Upstream
This fork maintains a respectful relationship with upstream:
What We Preserve
- ✅ Original architecture and design patterns
- ✅ Core API structure
- ✅ Apache-2.0 License
- ✅ Attribution to original author
- ✅ Compatible method names (where possible)
What We Enhance
- 🚀 PHP 8.3+ modern syntax
- 🚀 Type-safe enums
- 🚀 Enhanced documentation
- 🚀 Additional resource types
- 🚀 Active maintenance
Contribution Philosophy
Where appropriate, improvements that benefit both projects may be contributed back upstream, ensuring the broader PHP Kubernetes community benefits.
Technical Evolution
PHP Version Support Evolution
Upstream: PHP 7.4+ → 8.0+ → 8.1+
↓
Fork: 8.3+ → 8.4+ → 8.5+Feature Adoption Timeline
| Feature | Upstream | Fork |
|---|---|---|
| PHP 8.0 Features | ✅ | ✅ |
| PHP 8.1 Features | ✅ | ✅ |
| PHP 8.2 Features | Partial | ✅ Full |
| PHP 8.3 Features | ❌ | ✅ Full |
| Enums | ❌ | ✅ |
| Readonly Properties | ❌ | ✅ |
| Match Expressions | Limited | ✅ Extensive |
Governance
Upstream Project
- Maintained by: Alex Renoki and contributors
- Repository: https://github.com/renoki-co/php-k8s
- License: Apache-2.0
Fork Project
- Maintained by: Stephen Cuppett and contributors
- Repository: https://github.com/cuppett/php-k8s
- License: Apache-2.0 (inherited)
- Documentation: https://php-k8s.cuppett.dev
Community
User Base
- Upstream Users - Those using PHP 8.0-8.1 or preferring established stability
- Fork Users - Those using PHP 8.3+ and wanting modern features
Both communities are valued and supported.
Communication Channels
- Fork Issues: https://github.com/cuppett/php-k8s/issues
- Fork Discussions: https://github.com/cuppett/php-k8s/discussions
- Upstream Issues: https://github.com/renoki-co/php-k8s/issues
Looking Forward
Fork Roadmap
- Maintain PHP 8.3+ Support - Keep current with latest PHP versions
- Expand Resource Coverage - Support new Kubernetes resources
- Enhance Documentation - Continuous improvement of guides
- Community Engagement - Responsive to user feedback
- Performance Optimization - Leverage PHP 8.3+ performance gains
Long-Term Vision
The fork aims to:
- Serve as the go-to Kubernetes client for modern PHP applications
- Maintain compatibility where possible with upstream
- Provide exceptional documentation and developer experience
- Build a vibrant community around PHP and Kubernetes
Credits and Acknowledgments
Original Creator
Alex Renoki (@rennokki)
- Created the original php-k8s library
- Established the architecture and patterns
- Built the foundation we build upon
Fork Maintainer
Stephen Cuppett (@cuppett)
- Fork maintenance and modernization
- Documentation overhaul
- PHP 8.3+ enhancements
Contributors
Both projects benefit from community contributions. See:
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the fork merge back with upstream?
The fork maintains its own trajectory focused on PHP 8.3+ and modern features. However, improvements that benefit both projects may be contributed upstream.
Can I migrate from upstream to fork?
Yes! See the Upstream to Fork Migration Guide for detailed instructions.
Which should I use?
See Fork Differences for a comparison to help decide.
How can I contribute?
Both projects welcome contributions:
- Fork: https://github.com/cuppett/php-k8s/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md
- Upstream: https://github.com/renoki-co/php-k8s
License
Both the upstream project and this fork are released under the Apache-2.0 License, ensuring open-source freedom and compatibility.
This fork exists to serve the PHP and Kubernetes communities with modern, well-documented tooling. We're grateful to stand on the shoulders of the excellent upstream work.