> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom PHP settings per directory with .user.ini files

> This article describes how to use .user.ini files to specify custom PHP settings in a specific directory.

Some hosting accounts use the [PHP Selector](/docs/changing-php-versions-and-settings-in-cpanel) instead of *php.ini* files to configure PHP settings. However, you can still specify custom PHP settings for a directory by using *.user.ini* files. This article explains how to set up and use *.user.ini* files on your account.

## Using .user.ini files

When you create a *.user.ini* file, any PHP directives in the file are only active in that directory (and any subdirectories beneath it). This enables you to have different PHP settings for different directories. This may be necessary, for example, if you install two applications on your account that have different PHP requirements.

To enable custom settings in a *.user.ini* file, follow these steps:

1. Use your preferred text editor to create a *.user.ini* file in the directory where you want to enable custom PHP settings.
   > 🚧 Important
   >
   > Make sure you include the leading period at the start of the filename:\
   > *.user.ini*

2. In the *.user.ini* file, add the setting (or settings) that you want active in the directory. For example, to activate error reporting for scripts in the directory, add the following directive:

```
display_errors=On
```

<Tip>
  For a list of directives you can use in PHP *.ini* files, please visit [https://www.php.net/manual/en/ini.list.php](https://www.php.net/manual/en/ini.list.php).
</Tip>

3. Save your changes to the *.user.ini* file. The new settings take effect immediately.

## More information

To view the official PHP documentation, please visit [https://www.php.net/docs.php](https://www.php.net/docs.php).

## Related articles

* [Changing PHP settings and versions](/docs/changing-php-settings-and-versions)

* [Changing PHP versions and settings using PHP Selector](/docs/changing-php-versions-and-settings-in-cpanel)

* [Custom php.ini files](/docs/custom-php-ini-files)

* [Using php.ini directives](/docs/using-php-ini-directives)