Multiple Yii Apps Shared Framework

1. Setup a Shared Yii2 Framework Directory

Instead of installing Yii2 for each app separately, create a shared directory:

Install Yii2 Framework Once

This shared-framework/ directory will store the Yii2 framework and vendor files.

2. Create Multiple Yii2 Apps Using Shared Framework

Create two Yii2 apps (app1 and app2) without installing Yii2 dependencies separately.

Now, app1 and app2 contain only app-specific files, while shared-framework holds the common files.

3. Modify Each Yii2 App to Use the Shared Framework

Update apps/app1/index.php and apps/app2/index.php:

This ensures both apps use the same Yii2 framework and vendor files.

4. Configure MariaDB Database for Each App

Modify apps/app1/config/db.php and apps/app2/config/db.php:

For app1:

For app2:

5. Create a Shared Model (Optional)

Instead of separate models for each app, create a shared model:

Move models/Post.php to shared-framework/models/Post.php and update apps/app1/models/Post.php and apps/app2/models/Post.php:

Now, both apps use the same Post model from the shared framework.

6. Setup Shared Migrations

Use database migrations for both apps but store them in the shared framework:

Edit mXXXX_create_post_table.php:

Run migration separately for each app:

7. Run Multiple Yii2 Apps

Start the first app:

Start the second app:

Visit:

• http://localhost:8081/index.php?r=post
• http://localhost:8082/index.php?r=post

8. Summary

• shared-framework/ contains Yii2 core files, vendor libraries, models, and migrations.
• apps/app1/ and apps/app2/ contain only configuration and application-specific files.
• Single Yii2 installation is shared across multiple apps, reducing overhead.

Mr. Arch Brooks, Software Engineer, Brooks Computing Systems, LLC authored this article.