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The show command displays the source code for classes, functions, methods, properties, constants, and files. It can also show the code context where exceptions occurred.

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Syntax

show [options] <target>
show --ex [index]

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Arguments

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target
code
Function, class, instance, constant, method, property, or file path to show

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Options

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--ex
integer
Show the last exception context. Optionally specify a stack trace index (1-based).
  • Without a value: shows the next level up the stack on repeated calls
  • With a number: shows that specific level of the stack trace

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Showing Code

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Show Class Source

>>> show DateTime

class DateTime implements DateTimeInterface {
    public function __construct($datetime = "now", $timezone = null) { ... }
    public function format($format) { ... }
    public function modify($modifier) { ... }
    // ... rest of class
}

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Show Method Source

>>> show Psy\Shell::debug
>>> show DateTime::createFromFormat
Displays the complete source code of the method with syntax highlighting.

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Show Function Source

>>> show array_map
>>> show preg_match
Built-in PHP functions written in C will not have visible source code. The command will show the function signature instead.

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Show Instance Methods

>>> $obj = new MyClass()
>>> show $obj->someMethod

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Show File Contents

You can show any PHP file by path: 
>>> show /path/to/file.php
>>> show "./src/MyClass.php"
The file path can be absolute or relative to the current working directory. 
>>> show ./vendor/autoload.php
Displays the entire contents of the autoload file.

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Exception Context

One of the most powerful features of show is displaying code context around exceptions.

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Basic Exception Context

>>> someFunction()  // throws an exception
>>> show --ex

RuntimeException with message 'Something went wrong'
--
From src/MyClass.php:42 at level 1 of backtrace (of 5):

   37| function someFunction() {
   38|     $data = loadData();
   39|     if (!$data) {
   40|         processData($data);
   41|     }
▸  42|     throw new RuntimeException('Something went wrong');
   43| }
   44| 
   45| function loadData() {
   46|     return null;
   47| }
The ▸ marker indicates the exact line where the exception occurred. Call show --ex multiple times to move up the stack: 
>>> show --ex       // Level 1 (where exception was thrown)
>>> show --ex       // Level 2 (caller)
>>> show --ex       // Level 3 (caller's caller)
Each call shows 5 lines before and after the relevant line.

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Jump to Specific Stack Level

>>> show --ex 1     // Show where exception was thrown
>>> show --ex 3     // Jump to 3rd level of backtrace
>>> show --ex 5     // Jump to 5th level
Combine with wtf to see the full backtrace, then use show --ex to inspect specific levels.

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Exception Context Example

>>> $pdo = new PDO('invalid:dsn');
PDOException with message 'could not find driver'

>>> show --ex
From /app/test.php:3 at level 1 of backtrace (of 1):

    1| <?php
    2| 
▸   3| $pdo = new PDO('invalid:dsn');
    4|
    5|

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Magic Variables

After running show, magic variables are set based on the context:

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For Code Targets

>>> show MyApp\UserController::index
>>> echo $__class
MyApp\UserController
>>> echo $__method
index  
>>> echo $__namespace
MyApp
Available magic variables:
  • $__class - The class name
  • $__method - The method name
  • $__function - The function name
  • $__namespace - The namespace
  • $__file - The file path
  • $__dir - The directory path

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For Exception Contexts

>>> show --ex
>>> echo $__file     // File where exception occurred
>>> echo $__line     // Line number
>>> echo $__class    // Class if in a method
>>> echo $__method   // Method name if applicable

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Code Formatting

Source code is displayed with:
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Line numbers
  • Proper indentation
  • Color-coded keywords, strings, and comments
Code display adapts to your terminal’s color capabilities. Modern terminals will show rich syntax highlighting.

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Working with Evaluated Code

If code was evaluated using eval(), show --ex will attempt to extract the original file and line: 
file.php(15) : eval()'d code
PsySH parses this format and shows the actual source file at the indicated line.

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Error Handling

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No Source Available

For built-in classes or functions without source: 
>>> show PDO::__construct

PDO::__construct($dsn, $username = null, $password = null, $options = null)

RuntimeException: Could not find source code for PDO::__construct
The signature is still displayed, but source code cannot be shown for internal functions.

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Invalid Target

>>> show nonexistent_function

RuntimeException: Not enough arguments (missing: "target")

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Tips

Use show in combination with ls to explore a class:
>>> ls MyClass              // See available methods
>>> show MyClass::method1   // View the implementation
When debugging, show --ex is faster than opening files in an editor:
>>> someCode()    // Exception!
>>> wtf           // See the backtrace
>>> show --ex 3   // View the problematic code
Variables in file paths must be defined:
>>> $file = './src/MyClass.php'
>>> show $file   // ✓ Works
>>> show $undefined  // ✗ Error

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See Also

  • doc - Read documentation
  • wtf - View exception backtraces
  • whereami - Show your current code location
  • ls - List available code elements

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