How can I insert HTML5 boilerplate into a .php file in PhpStorm/WebStorm using Emmet or Live Templates?

Question

I'm working in WebStorm (PhpStorm) on a .php file, and I want to quickly insert the standard HTML5 boilerplate (the <!DOCTYPE html>…</html> structure).

In an .html file, I can type ! and press Tab to get the boilerplate via Emmet. However, in a .php file, it doesn’t seem to work — even if I place my cursor outside the <?php ?> tags.

Here’s an example of my file:

<!-- I want the HTML5 boilerplate inserted here -->

<?php

    echo" i like pizza";
    echo "<br>";
    echo "i love pizza";
    echo "<br>";
    //this is a comment
    /* this is
    a multiline comment
    */
?>

How can I configure PhpStorm so I can type an abbreviation (e.g., !html + Tab) and insert the full HTML5 boilerplate inside a .php file without breaking PHP execution?

Well -- it works just fine as is for me -- I can easily use !Tab before the <?php block in a .php file. Not sure what the difference between my and your setup. Mine is PhpStorm 2025.1.4.1 on Windows 10. — LazyOne
– LazyOne, Commented Aug 12 at 15:56

Milan tetar · Accepted Answer · 2025-08-12 15:24:56Z

4

I found the answer in documentation , You can solve this by adding a custom Live Template in Phpstorm.
Go to Settings → Editor → Live Templates, click + to make a new one, give it an abbreviation (like html5), paste your HTML5 boilerplate in the template text, and under Applicable in, tick PHP.

Now, in a .php file (outside your PHP tags), just type your abbreviation and hit Tab — you’ll get the full boilerplate instantly.

answered Aug 12 at 15:24

Milan tetar

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