Clockwork is a development tool for PHP that runs in your browser and provides insight into application runtime behavior.
The tool addresses the need to understand what happens during request execution by collecting comprehensive data on the server side and exposing it through a browser interface. It gathers information about request data, performance metrics, log entries, database queries, cache operations, Redis commands, dispatched events, queued jobs, rendered views, and more. The collection works across HTTP requests, console commands, queue jobs, and tests. Clockwork is inactive by default when debug mode is off, and developers can selectively enable features or disable those they don't need through configuration.
Clockwork suits developers working with PHP applications who want detailed runtime visibility without leaving their browser. The tool is particularly useful for performance profiling and debugging complex request flows. Installation is straightforward via Composer, with optional configuration publishing for additional features like command and queue job profiling. The server-side component works alongside a browser-based client to display collected data.
The project maintains a substantial base of real-world users, as evidenced by the fact that almost all open issues are raised by outside users rather than the core team. Maintainers typically respond to new issues and pull requests within a few days.
