Claude Code and TYPO3 for Developers A Hands-On Guide

Claude Code boosts TYPO3 development with AI, speeding up extension creation without compromising on quality. It complements your expertise in Extbase, Fluid, TCA, and TypoScript by automating routine tasks, allowing you to focus on the core architecture and business logic.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is an AI assistant powered by Claude 4, designed specifically to assist with TYPO3 extension development. It helps developers by understanding the project structure, automating code generation, and reducing the time spent on manual, repetitive coding tasks.

Key Features of Claude Code:

• Project Understanding: Claude Code is aware of your entire project structure, ensuring generated code integrates smoothly.

• Multi-file Processing: Capable of handling tasks across multiple files, speeding up large-scale development.

• Version Control: It integrates seamlessly with Git, making it easier to track changes and manage versions.

• TYPO3 Knowledge: Recognizes TYPO3-specific components like TCA, TypoScript, and Extbase to generate code according to TYPO3 standards.

• Task Automation: Automates repetitive tasks, such as code generation, allowing you to focus on more complex parts of the project.

While Claude Code automates much of the process, your TYPO3 expertise is still essential to guide its output and ensure the results align with your project’s requirements.

Installation Guide

Prerequisites

Before setting up Claude Code, ensure you have the following:

• Node.js version 18 or higher.

• A valid API key from Anthropic.

• A TYPO3 project set up via Composer.

• Git configured and ready.

• A code editor like VS Code or PhpStorm.

Installation Process

You can install Claude Code by running terminal commands. Once installed, authenticate the tool by entering your API key or configuring it through environment variables.

Integrating with Your IDE

Claude Code works well with popular code editors, providing real-time suggestions and previews:

• VS Code: Install the Claude Code extension from the marketplace.

• PhpStorm: Use the terminal or set it as an external tool.

• Other Editors: You can run Claude Code directly from the terminal.

Using it within your IDE ensures easy access to code suggestions, Git staging, and live diff previews.

Creating Your TYPO3 Extension

Writing Effective Prompts

Claude Code generates the best results when you provide clear and specific prompts. Your prompt should include:

• The functionality and features required for the extension.

• The data structure (e.g., tables, fields, relations).

• Technical requirements such as coding standards or project guidelines.

The more detailed your instructions, the more accurate the generated code will be.

Reviewing and Adjusting the Code

Once Claude Code generates the code for your extension, review it for:

• Correct alignment of namespaces with composer.json.

• Proper setup of TCA files and database schema.

• Correct TypoScript registration.

• Necessary imports in templates.

If necessary, you can ask Claude Code to make specific changes to improve the code.

Installing and Activating Your Extension

After generating the extension, you can activate it within TYPO3 using Composer and TYPO3 CLI tools. This process includes activating the extension, updating the database schema, and clearing caches to finalize the setup.

Claude Code vs T3AB: A Comparison

Claude Code and T3AB serve different purposes in TYPO3 development:

• Claude Code: A command-line tool that generates full extensions, handles backend logic, integrates with Git, and automates complex workflows.

• T3AB: A TYPO3 backend tool focused on creating content elements and simple UI components. It is easier for non-developers and is perfect for frontend tasks.

When to Use Which Tool:

• Claude Code is ideal for backend tasks, creating complex extensions, and automating workflows.

• T3AB is better suited for content creation, simple UI elements, and frontend components.

These tools work well together, Claude Code handles the logic, while T3AB takes care of the content and frontend design.

Advanced Features of Claude Code

Claude Code offers powerful advanced features to enhance your development process:

• Refactoring: Modify multiple files at once, such as renaming classes or changing methods.

• Coding Standards: Ensure your code adheres to industry standards like PSR-12 and TYPO3’s best practices.

• Git Integration: Automate commits, branches, and pull requests to keep your project organized.

• Performance Optimization: Get suggestions to improve performance, such as indexing your database queries.

Best Practices for Using Claude Code

To get the best results from Claude Code:

• Be clear and detailed in your prompts, outlining your data model and feature requirements.

• Request smaller tasks rather than large, vague requests to improve the accuracy of the generated code.

• Always review the generated code for potential security vulnerabilities, including input validation and database query protection.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some solutions for common issues:

• Installation Problems: Verify that Node.js is correctly installed or try reinstalling Claude Code and re-authenticating.

• TCA Errors: If there are TCA-related issues, ask Claude Code to inspect and correct the files.

• Extension Not Appearing: Ensure the extension type is properly defined in your composer.json and clear TYPO3 caches.

Conclusion

Claude Code is an essential tool for speeding up TYPO3 extension development by automating repetitive tasks and generating boilerplate code. While it automates many processes, your expertise is still needed to guide the tool and ensure the code meets your project’s standards. Use Claude Code for backend-heavy tasks and complex workflows, and consider using T3AB for simpler frontend tasks and content creation.