No handover, no documentation
Passwords, deployment steps and the reasons behind odd code left with the developer.
Legacy PHP takeover
Your PHP developer is gone. Your system still needs an owner.
We take over existing PHP and CodeIgniter applications, find out how they really work and keep them running safely.
For businesses that depend on a system built by a freelancer, an agency or an internal developer who is no longer available.
Founder-led technical ownership
Stabilization before change
Documentation you keep
Sounds familiar?
The system works, but nobody can safely change it.
When the only person who understood a system leaves, the risk does not show up immediately. It shows up the first time something urgent breaks.
You are not sure what you control
Hosting, domain, database, backups and third-party accounts may be in someone else's name.
Other developers decline the work
They see old PHP, no tests and no documentation, and suggest a rewrite instead.
The business keeps changing
New requirements, integrations and fixes pile up while the system stays frozen.
How a takeover works
From unknown system to owned system.
We reconstruct the technical picture, protect the business-critical paths and agree a practical plan with you.
01
Secure access
Confirm who controls hosting, domain, database and code, and recover missing access.
02
Protect the data
Verify backups and make sure the current system can be restored if anything goes wrong.
03
Rebuild the environment
Set up a safe copy where changes can be tested before they reach production.
04
Map critical workflows
Find the orders, payments, bookings, reports and integrations that must never break.
05
Fix the biggest risks
Handle security issues, unsupported software and fragile code before new work begins.
06
Ongoing ownership
Continue with maintenance and improvements, with documentation that stays with you.
Low-risk first step
Not ready for a full takeover?
Start with a fixed-scope Legacy PHP Health Check. You get a clear picture of the system and its risks before committing to anything larger.
See what the Health Check coversYou receive:
- Risk map
- Priority fixes
- Takeover recommendation
- Clear next steps
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
What do you need from us to start?
Access to the code, the server or hosting account and the database, plus anyone who can explain how the business uses the system. If some access is missing, we help you recover it.
The previous developer is not cooperating. Can you still take over?
Usually yes. As long as you control the hosting, domain and database, we can reconstruct how the system works from the code and the running environment.
Will you rewrite the system?
No, not by default. We first make the existing system safe and understandable. A rewrite is only worth discussing when there is a clear business reason for it.
How long does a takeover take?
It depends on the size of the system and how much access and documentation exist. We agree the scope of the first phase upfront, and the most critical risks are handled first.
What happens after the takeover?
You can continue with ongoing maintenance, a planned modernization or both. You also keep the documentation we create, so you are not dependent on a single person again.
Related services
Other ways we help with legacy PHP.
Next step
Tell us what was left behind.
Describe the system, who built it and what you still have access to. We will review it personally and suggest how to take it over safely.