PhpStorm 2024.3 brings PHP 8.4 support, enhanced debugging, Laravel improvements, and more

JetBrains has released PhpStorm 2024.3, marking the third major update this year for the PHP-focused integrated development environment. This release introduces compatibility with PHP 8.4 and adds support for xdebug_notify(), Pest 3.0, as well as Pest's parallel and mutation testing capabilities.

Developers utilizing JetBrains AI Assistant will benefit from an updated AI code completion model and new inline AI prompting. Enhancements in debugging are notable with structured handling of xdebug_notify() output, a feature introduced in Xdebug 3.1 for selective variable output in the debugging console.

Laravel developers using Laravel Herd will find improved support, as PhpStorm now auto-detects the path to the current Laravel Herd’s PHP executable. Additionally, the IDE enhances the Pest framework experience specifically for Laravel users.

The update also automates the resolution of merge conflicts in import statements and refines the Find in Files feature with a new search scope excluding Git-ignored files. Further improvements include enhanced database tools, better framework component navigation and renaming, Tailwind CSS class color previews, and updates for Angular development.