Title: Airworthy – PHP Compatibility & Upgrade Checker
Author: DigitalKind
Published: September 30, 2026
Last modified: September 30, 2026
---
Search plugins
# Airworthy – PHP Compatibility & Upgrade Checker
By [DigitalKind](https://profiles.wordpress.org/digitalkind/)
[Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/airworthy.1.0.0.zip)
* [Details](https://wordpress.org/plugins/airworthy/#description)
* [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/plugins/airworthy/#reviews)
* [Installation](https://wordpress.org/plugins/airworthy/#installation)
* [Development](https://wordpress.org/plugins/airworthy/#developers)
[Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/airworthy/)
## Description
Your host wants you on a newer PHP version. Will your site survive the switch?
Airworthy reads the code of every installed plugin and of your theme (on multisite:
every network-enabled theme) and checks it against the PHP version you pick, from
PHP 8.0 to PHP 8.5. It also looks each plugin up on WordPress.org to see whether
it is still maintained. You get one clear verdict per plugin and theme, before you
touch your server settings.
**Important:** Airworthy helps you plan a PHP upgrade; it doesn’t guarantee one.
Always back up your site and test the new PHP version on a staging copy before changing
your live site.
#### What you get
* **A verdict for every plugin and theme.** Blocker, Unknown, Suppressed, Guarded,
Warnings or Ready, each with one plain sentence explaining what it means for
you.
* **Fewer false alarms.** Many plugins carry old code that only runs on old PHP
versions, behind a version check. Airworthy recognises those checks and marks
that code as guarded instead of broken. In our test of the 30 most popular plugins,
this cut the plugins flagged as broken from 4 to 2, and in both the flagged code
really would fail on PHP 8.
* **Maintenance signals from WordPress.org (if you allow it).** Plugins that were
closed (removed from the directory), not updated in two years, not tested with
recent WordPress versions, or that need a newer PHP version than you picked are
called out.
* **Know what to do next.** Results are grouped into fix before you upgrade, keep
an eye on, and all good. Plugins with an update waiting say so, with a one-click
update, and Airworthy checks them again once they’re updated.
* **Know how long you have.** Airworthy shows when your server’s PHP version stops
getting security fixes, so you can plan the upgrade before it’s urgent.
* **The details when you want them.** Every finding shows the file, the line and
what changed in PHP. Filter by verdict, rescan one plugin after an update, or
download everything as a CSV file for your developer or host.
* **Sensible default.** Airworthy recommends the oldest PHP version that still
gets security fixes: the smallest upgrade that keeps your site protected. It
shows every version’s support dates.
* **Safe on any host.** Scans run in the background in short batches, so they never
time out, and they watch memory use. You can leave the page while a scan runs.
Nothing is changed on your site.
* **Settings that fit your site.** Skip inactive plugins, keep a list of plugins
and themes never to check, and choose a gentler scan speed for cheap shared hosting.
* **In Site Health too.** Tools > Site Health shows whether your plugins and themes
are ready for the next PHP version, with a link to the full results.
* **Multisite ready.** On a network, Airworthy is activated network-wide and lives
under Network Admin > Settings.
#### WP-CLI
Everything on the admin screen also works from the terminal:
* `wp airworthy scan --target=8.4` checks every plugin and theme and prints the
results. Add `--wporg` to include the WordPress.org checks.
* `wp airworthy scan --only=my-plugin --fail-on=blocker` exits with code 1 if anything
would break, for CI.
* `wp airworthy results --verdict=blocker,unknown` shows what needs attention.
* `wp airworthy issues ` lists one plugin’s findings with file and line.
* `wp airworthy rescan `, `wp airworthy export --file=report.csv`, `wp airworthy
status`, `wp airworthy cancel`, `wp airworthy resume` and `wp airworthy targets`
do what their names say.
#### Privacy
This plugin reads your plugin and theme files on your own server; it never runs
them and never sends them anywhere.
Airworthy only contacts an outside server if you allow it. Before your first scan
it asks whether to also check WordPress.org, and remembers your answer; you can
change it at every scan (in WP-CLI: `--wporg` or `--no-wporg`). If you say no, nothing
leaves your server.
If you say yes, it looks up each plugin’s slug (its folder name) in the public WordPress.
org plugin directory (api.wordpress.org), one plugin per request, to show whether
it is still maintained. Nothing else is sent: not your site’s address (the requests
use their own “Airworthy” user agent instead of WordPress’s default, which includes
your site URL), not your PHP version. As with any web request, WordPress.org sees
your server’s IP address. Answers are cached for 24 hours.
Airworthy sets no cookies, adds nothing to your site’s front end, and has no tracking,
account or sign-up.
#### Source code and build
The full, human-readable source code is public at https://github.com/DigitalKind/
airworthy.
The scan engine is built from open-source libraries: PHP_CodeSniffer, PHPCompatibility
and PHPCSUtils. Other plugins, or your own tools, may load their own copies of these,
possibly different versions. To keep the copies apart, the release build runs them
through PHP-Scoper (https://github.com/humbug/php-scoper), which moves their code
into Airworthy’s own `Airworthy\Vendor` namespace. The scoped code in the `vendor/`
folder is ordinary, readable PHP; only the namespace names change.
To rebuild the plugin from source, clone the repository and run `bin/build.sh`.
It installs the exact library versions pinned in `plugin/composer.lock`, scopes
them, checks the result and writes `dist/airworthy.zip`. `docs/ENGINE.md` explains
each step.
Action Scheduler is bundled unscoped, as WooCommerce and other plugins do, because
it is designed to share one copy between all plugins that include it.
#### Bundled libraries and licences
Airworthy’s own code is GPLv2 or later. It bundles:
* PHP_CodeSniffer 4.0.4: BSD-3-Clause. https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHP_CodeSniffer
* PHPCompatibility 10.0.0-alpha2: LGPL-3.0-or-later. https://github.com/PHPCompatibility/
PHPCompatibility
* PHPCompatibilityParagonie 2.0.0-alpha2: LGPL-3.0-or-later. https://github.com/
PHPCompatibility/PHPCompatibilityParagonie
* PHPCompatibilityWP 3.0.0-alpha2: LGPL-3.0-or-later. https://github.com/PHPCompatibility/
PHPCompatibilityWP
* PHPCSUtils 1.2.3: LGPL-3.0-or-later. https://github.com/PHPCSStandards/PHPCSUtils
* Action Scheduler 4.2.0: GPL-3.0-or-later. https://github.com/woocommerce/action-
scheduler
Because Action Scheduler is GPLv3 and the PHPCompatibility libraries are LGPLv3,
the plugin as distributed, taken as a whole, is covered by the GPL version 3. Each
library’s licence file is included in its folder. A software bill of materials (`
sbom.cdx.json`, CycloneDX format) lists every bundled component and version.
## Screenshots
[⌊Pick the PHP version to check against. Airworthy suggests the oldest version that
still gets security fixes, and shows how long your server's current version has
left.⌉⌊Pick the PHP version to check against. Airworthy suggests the oldest version
that still gets security fixes, and shows how long your server's current version
has left.⌉[
Pick the PHP version to check against. Airworthy suggests the oldest version that
still gets security fixes, and shows how long your server’s current version has
left.
[⌊Scans run in the background in small batches, so they never time out. You see
what's being checked, how long is left, and each plugin's verdict as it comes in.⌉⌊
Scans run in the background in small batches, so they never time out. You see what's
being checked, how long is left, and each plugin's verdict as it comes in.⌉[
Scans run in the background in small batches, so they never time out. You see what’s
being checked, how long is left, and each plugin’s verdict as it comes in.
[⌊One clear answer for the whole site, a count for each verdict, and which plugins
have an update waiting.⌉⌊One clear answer for the whole site, a count for each verdict,
and which plugins have an update waiting.⌉[
One clear answer for the whole site, a count for each verdict, and which plugins
have an update waiting.
[⌊Results grouped by what to do next. Details show each finding with its file, line
and what changed in PHP, and updates are one click away.⌉⌊Results grouped by what
to do next. Details show each finding with its file, line and what changed in PHP,
and updates are one click away.⌉[
Results grouped by what to do next. Details show each finding with its file, line
and what changed in PHP, and updates are one click away.
[⌊Settings: skip inactive plugins, never check chosen plugins or themes, and pick
a scan speed that suits your hosting. Changes save as you make them.⌉⌊Settings:
skip inactive plugins, never check chosen plugins or themes, and pick a scan speed
that suits your hosting. Changes save as you make them.⌉[
Settings: skip inactive plugins, never check chosen plugins or themes, and pick
a scan speed that suits your hosting. Changes save as you make them.
[⌊A PHP upgrade check in Tools > Site Health, next to WordPress's own checks.⌉⌊A
PHP upgrade check in Tools > Site Health, next to WordPress's own checks.⌉[
A PHP upgrade check in Tools > Site Health, next to WordPress’s own checks.
## Installation
1. In your WordPress admin, go to Plugins > Add New, search for “Airworthy” and click
Install Now, then Activate. Or upload `airworthy.zip` under Plugins > Add New >
Upload Plugin.
2. Go to Tools > Airworthy (on multisite: Network Admin > Settings > Airworthy).
3. Pick the PHP version you want to move to (the recommended one is preselected) and
click Start scan.
4. Wait for the scan to finish, or come back later. You get a notice when the results
are ready.
Only administrators can run scans and see results (on multisite, network administrators).
To remove everything Airworthy stored (its three database tables, settings and scheduled
jobs), delete the plugin from the Plugins screen.
## FAQ
### Does Airworthy change my PHP version or my site?
No. It only reads files and reports. You change the PHP version yourself, usually
in your hosting control panel, when you’re ready.
### What can a static scan catch, and what can’t it?
Airworthy reads the code without running it. That catches most PHP upgrade problems:
functions, classes and constants that were removed, changed syntax, removed extensions,
and new reserved words. It sees every file, including code paths your visitors rarely
trigger.
It can’t see what only happens when code runs. For example: code that builds function
names at run time, behaviour that depends on your data or settings, and problems
in files a plugin downloads or generates later. Some newer PHP changes (such as
a few PHP 8.1 and 8.5 deprecations) can’t be detected reliably by reading code yet.
So a “Ready” verdict means no problems were found, not a guarantee. Test on a staging
copy of your site, and keep a backup, before you switch.
### Is a “Ready” result a guarantee that my site will work?
No. Airworthy reads code without running it, so some problems can’t be seen this
way: code that only fails when it runs with your data or settings, your server’s
configuration, or other software on your site. Treat the results as guidance for
planning. Before changing PHP on your live site, back up your files and database,
try the new version on a staging copy and check the pages that matter most (checkout,
forms, logins), and make sure you know how to switch back. Airworthy is free software
provided without any warranty (see the licence), and DigitalKind isn’t liable for
the results of changing your PHP version.
### Why are some problems marked “already on your PHP”?
Airworthy compares the PHP version your site runs now with the one you’re moving
to. Only PHP changes in between can break something when you upgrade. Code hit by
an older change (for example a function removed in PHP 7.0, on a site that already
runs PHP 8.3) either never runs on your site or is already failing today, and upgrading
doesn’t change that. Those findings are still listed in each plugin’s details, but
they aren’t counted as Blockers. If you’re checking a copy of a site that runs on
another server, choose its PHP version under “Compare from another PHP version”.
### What does each verdict mean?
* **Blocker:** needs attention before you upgrade. Some of its code will not work
on the PHP version you picked, or it needs a newer PHP version than that.
* **Unknown:** some files could not be checked, so there’s no verdict yet. The
details list which files and why.
* **Suppressed:** the author marked some code as intentionally left as-is. Most
of the time that’s fine, but worth confirming with them.
* **Guarded:** it contains code for old PHP versions, but only runs it on those
versions. Nothing to do.
* **Warnings:** it works, but uses features that are being phased out. Nothing
breaks now; the author should update before a future PHP version.
* **Ready:** nothing that would break on the PHP version you picked.
### What is sent to WordPress.org?
Nothing, unless you allow it when you start a scan. If you do, only each plugin’s
slug (its folder name), to look up its public directory entry: not your site address,
not your PHP version. See Privacy above. Themes aren’t looked up.
### A plugin shows as Blocker. What should I do?
Update it first, if an update is available; then rescan just that plugin with the
Rescan button. If it’s still a Blocker, open the details, download the CSV and send
it to the plugin’s author or your developer. If the plugin was closed on WordPress.
org, look for a maintained replacement.
### Will a scan slow down my site?
Scans run in the background in short batches of about 20 seconds, using WordPress’s
own scheduled tasks (Action Scheduler). Visitors aren’t affected. A typical site
with 20–30 plugins takes a few minutes; Airworthy estimates the time before you
start.
### Which PHP versions can I check against?
PHP 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5. Versions that no longer get security fixes
are marked as ended; you can still check them, but results for them are less precise.
### Why do I now see Tools > Scheduled Actions?
That menu comes from Action Scheduler, the background-job library Airworthy uses(
WooCommerce uses the same one). It’s harmless, and lists Airworthy’s jobs under
the “airworthy” group.
### How do I report a security problem?
Email security@airworthywp.com. Please don’t post it in the public support forum.
See SECURITY.md in the source repository for how reports are handled.
## Reviews
There are no reviews for this plugin.
## Contributors & Developers
“Airworthy – PHP Compatibility & Upgrade Checker” is open source software. The following
people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
* [ DigitalKind ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/digitalkind/)
* [ damienohalloran ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/airworthywp/)
[Translate “Airworthy – PHP Compatibility & Upgrade Checker” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/airworthy)
### Interested in development?
[Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/airworthy/), check
out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/airworthy/), or subscribe
to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/airworthy/) by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/airworthy/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss).
## Changelog
#### 1.0.0
* First release.
* Checks every plugin and theme against PHP 8.0 to 8.5, with a clear verdict for
each: Blocker, Unknown, Suppressed by author, Guarded legacy code, Warnings or
Ready.
* Tells real problems from old code that never runs on the new PHP version, including
code that falls back to a replacement PHP extension.
* Marks problems that already apply on the PHP version your site runs now, so they
aren’t counted as new with this upgrade.
* Optional WordPress.org check (you choose): plugins removed from WordPress.org,
not updated in two years, or needing a newer PHP version.
* Results grouped by what to do next: fix before you upgrade, keep an eye on, all
good.
* Shows which plugins and themes have an update waiting, with a one-click update;
Airworthy checks them again after they’re updated, including when a plugin is
replaced by uploading a zip.
* Shows how long your server’s PHP version keeps getting security fixes.
* Runs in the background with live progress, so a large site never times out. A
stopped scan can be continued where it left off.
* Settings: skip inactive plugins, never scan chosen plugins or themes, and choose
how hard scans work your server.
* A PHP upgrade readiness check in Tools > Site Health.
* CSV export and WP-CLI commands.
## Meta
* Version **1.0.0**
* Last updated **18 hours ago**
* Active installations **Fewer than 10**
* WordPress version ** 6.9 or higher **
* Tested up to **7.1.2**
* PHP version ** 7.2 or higher **
* Tags
* [compatibility](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/compatibility/)[health check](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/health-check/)
[php](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/php/)[php 8](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/php-8/)
[upgrade](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/upgrade/)
* [Advanced View](https://wordpress.org/plugins/airworthy/advanced/)
## Ratings
No reviews have been submitted yet.
[Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/airworthy/reviews/#new-post)
[See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/airworthy/reviews/)
## Contributors
* [ DigitalKind ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/digitalkind/)
* [ damienohalloran ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/airworthywp/)
## Support
Got something to say? Need help?
[View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/airworthy/)