What PHP version should I use for Ghost?

Ghost does not use PHP

Ghost is a modern publishing platform built entirely on Node.js. It does not rely on PHP for its core functionality, database interactions, or content management. This is a fundamental architectural difference between Ghost and platforms like WordPress, which are PHP-based. If you are setting up Ghost, you do not need to configure PHP versions, extensions, or environments.

Required Runtime: Node.js

Instead of PHP, Ghost requires a specific version of the Node.js runtime. We recommend using Node.js 18 LTS or Node.js 20 LTS for production environments. These versions provide the stability and performance required for Ghost to function correctly. Using unsupported versions of Node.js can lead to compatibility issues with Ghost's dependencies, such as the Express framework and the underlying database drivers.

Why PHP is Irrelevant for Ghost

PHP is a server-side scripting language primarily used for dynamic web content, often associated with CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla. Ghost, however, is built on JavaScript and runs on the V8 JavaScript engine. This means that all server-side logic, API calls, and content rendering happen within the Node.js environment. There is no PHP execution layer involved in Ghost's operation.

If you are migrating from a PHP-based CMS like WordPress to Ghost, you will need to understand that the underlying technology stack is completely different. You will not be able to use PHP plugins or themes with Ghost. Instead, you will use Ghost themes built with Handlebars templates and JavaScript.

Common Misconceptions

Many users confuse Ghost with WordPress due to their similar use cases in blogging and content publishing. However, the technical requirements are distinct. WordPress requires a PHP environment (typically PHP 7.4 or 8.x) and a MySQL or MariaDB database. Ghost requires Node.js and a PostgreSQL or MySQL database. This distinction is critical when choosing a hosting environment.

Hosting Considerations

When selecting a hosting provider for Ghost, ensure they support Node.js applications. At HostingDuty, we offer optimized hosting environments for Node.js applications, ensuring that your Ghost instance runs smoothly. You can read more about our Node.js hosting options in our Node.js hosting guide.

External Resources

For more information on Ghost's technical requirements, refer to the official Ghost documentation on system requirements. Additionally, if you need to manage both WordPress and Ghost on the same server, you may need to configure PHP separately for WordPress while running Ghost on Node.js.

Related Topics

If you are interested in learning more about Ghost's architecture or migration strategies, check out our Ghost vs WordPress comparison and our Ghost installation tutorial. For detailed information on Node.js versions and their compatibility, refer to the Node.js LTS schedule.

Conclusion

In summary, Ghost does not use PHP. It is a Node.js-based platform, and you should focus on configuring the correct Node.js version rather than worrying about PHP versions. This distinction is crucial for proper setup and maintenance of your Ghost instance.