Auto-loading Helpers not working

[adalyana]

PHP Version

8.1

CodeIgniter4 Version

4.6.1

CodeIgniter4 Installation Method

Composer (using codeigniter4/appstarter)

Which operating systems have you tested for this bug?

Linux

Which server did you use?

fpm-fcgi

Database

No response

What happened?

I'm currently using CodeIgniter version 4.5.5.

In this version, I have a helper added to app/Config/Autoload.php. This helper contains a function that checks if the environment is set to production:

function is_production() {
    return getenv("CI_ENVIRONMENT") == "production";
}

Additionally, I have a CustomLogHandler that sends error reports to Slack. It's configured in app/Config/Logger.php. Inside this custom logger, I call the is_production() function.

However, after upgrading to CodeIgniter 4.6.1, the is_production() function is no longer recognized. I had to explicitly load the helper in the constructor of the custom log class using the helper() function:

public function __construct()
{
    helper('my_helper'); // This was not needed before
}

I'm not sure if this is a bug, but I found it odd that this change was required after the upgrade. I reviewed the documentation but couldn’t find anything related to this behavior.

Let me know if this is expected or if it should be reported as a bug.

Steps to Reproduce

Create a helper in app/Helpers/my_helper.php with the following function:

function is_production() {
    return getenv("CI_ENVIRONMENT") == "production";
}

Register the helper in app/Config/Autoload.php:

public $helpers = ['my_helper'];

Create a custom log handler (e.g., App\Log\SlackLogger) and configure it in app/Config/Logger.php.

Inside the custom log class, call the is_production() function without explicitly loading the helper:

if (is_production()) {
    // Send logs to Slack
}

Run your app using CodeIgniter version 4.5.5 and confirm that everything works as expected.

Upgrade CodeIgniter to version 4.6.1.

Run the same code again. You will now get an error stating that is_production() is not recognized.

To fix it, you need to manually call helper('my_helper') in the constructor or before using the function:

public function __construct()
{
    helper('my_helper');
}

Expected Output

The is_production() function should be available in the custom log class without needing to manually call helper('my_helper'), as long as the helper is correctly listed in app/Config/Autoload.php.

This was the behavior in version 4.5.5, and I expected it to remain the same after upgrading to 4.6.1.

Anything else?

No response

[ddevsr]

This is not bug, read documentation helper.

[adalyana]

I’ve read the documentation, and the helper is indeed added globally via app/Config/Autoload.php.

In version 4.5.5, I didn’t need to include the helper manually in the constructor of my CustomLogHandler. However, after upgrading to 4.6.1, I now have to explicitly call helper('my_helper') in the constructor, otherwise the function is not recognized.

What am I misunderstanding here?
What changed between versions that caused this behavior to break?

[ddevsr]

Calling helper using app/Config/Autoload.php or helper() function must follow format as documented. When you make helper filename myname_helper, you must load like helper('myname') or public $helpers = ['myname'];

[adalyana]

I understand — that was just an example. In my actual code, I use:

public $helpers = ['yanatools'];

As I mentioned, it worked in the previous version. After upgrading, I’m not sure why my function inside the helper is no longer recognized, and why I now have to explicitly call helper('yanatools') in my class, even though it’s added globally.

Did you try to reproduce the possible issue?

[paulbalandan]

Is the helper's filename yanatools_helper.php?

[adalyana]

Yes, the filename is correct — all lowercase.
I'll attach screenshots and the generated error message.

Filename:

Autoload:

Error message:

<br />
<b>Fatal error</b>: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function App\Services\Log\is_production() in
/var/www/html/app/Services/Log/CustomLogHandler.php:54
Stack trace:
#0 /var/www/html/vendor/codeigniter4/framework/system/Log/Logger.php(296):
App\Services\Log\CustomLogHandler-&gt;handle('critical', 'ErrorException:...')
#1 /var/www/html/vendor/codeigniter4/framework/system/Common.php(785): CodeIgniter\Log\Logger-&gt;log('critical',
'ErrorException:...', Array)
#2 /var/www/html/vendor/codeigniter4/framework/system/Debug/Exceptions.php(140): log_message('critical',
'ErrorException:...', Array)
#3 [internal function]: CodeIgniter\Debug\Exceptions-&gt;exceptionHandler(Object(ErrorException))
#4 {main}
thrown in <b>/var/www/html/app/Services/Log/CustomLogHandler.php</b> on line <b>54</b><br />
<br />
<b>Fatal error</b>: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function App\Services\Log\is_production() in
/var/www/html/app/Services/Log/CustomLogHandler.php:54
Stack trace:
#0 /var/www/html/vendor/codeigniter4/framework/system/Log/Logger.php(296):
App\Services\Log\CustomLogHandler-&gt;handle('critical', 'ErrorException:...')
#1 /var/www/html/vendor/codeigniter4/framework/system/Common.php(785): CodeIgniter\Log\Logger-&gt;log('critical',
'ErrorException:...', Array)
#2 /var/www/html/vendor/codeigniter4/framework/system/Debug/Exceptions.php(140): log_message('critical',
'ErrorException:...', Array)
#3 /var/www/html/vendor/codeigniter4/framework/system/Debug/Exceptions.php(252):
CodeIgniter\Debug\Exceptions-&gt;exceptionHandler(Object(ErrorException))
#4 [internal function]: CodeIgniter\Debug\Exceptions-&gt;shutdownHandler()
#5 {main}
thrown in <b>/var/www/html/app/Services/Log/CustomLogHandler.php</b> on line <b>54</b><br />

Tell me if you need more information

[paulbalandan]

How do you declare the is_production() function inside yanatools_helper? Is it under a namespace like namespace App\Helpers;?

[adalyana]

Nop, there is not namespace App\Helpers; in my helper, and here is an screenshot with the declared function:

[ddevsr]

This is enable file locator cache?

[neznaika0]

Paste /var/www/html/app/Services/Log/CustomLogHandler.php code? In my opinion, you initialize the helper in the controller, and call it in the service. They have no connectedness

[paulbalandan]

The thing is, all predefined helpers in autoload config are loaded during boot, when service('autoloader')->loadHelpers(); is called, so calling this helper in controller should no longer be necessary.