Rig is a PHP framework designed to build reactive interfaces without requiring Node.js, build tools, or separate API layers. The framework allows developers to manage state and logic within a single PHP file per component, while the browser handles DOM updates automatically.
The framework uses a custom template language that compiles into an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST). This tree is interpreted by both the server and a lightweight 21 KB gzip runtime in the browser, ensuring consistent behavior for expressions and data types across both environments.
State management is handled via signed HMAC-SHA256 snapshots, eliminating the need for the server to track individual browser tabs. Developers can use attributes like #[Client] for browser-only state, #[Computed] for derived data, and #[Shared] for cross-component data synchronization.
Rig includes built-in development tools, such as the 'rig dev' command, which manages a PostgreSQL cluster, migrations, queues, and event hubs. The framework supports hot module replacement (HMR), allowing code changes to be applied without losing the current application state.
The system requires PHP 8.1 or newer. It features built-in support for file uploads, background queues, email delivery, and task scheduling without requiring external services like Redis. Deployment is managed via 'rig build', which pre-compiles components and validates configurations.
