CakePHP 2.x Webpack Encore Plugin

This helper allows you to integrate Symfony Webpack Encore–built assets (CSS, JS, images) into a CakePHP 2 application. It reads entrypoints.json and manifest.json to resolve fingerprinted asset filenames and output proper <link>, <script>, or <img> tags.

Installation

0. Install plugin:

   composer require pieceofcake2/webpack-encore

1. Build your Encore assets (e.g., with Symfony Encore or webpack). From your project root, run:

   npm install
   npm run encore dev

   This should generate:

   • webroot/build/entrypoints.json
   • webroot/build/manifest.json
   • The webroot/build/ directory containing compiled .js, .css, and image files.

2. Copy EncoreHelper.php into your CakePHP app under:

   app/View/Helper/EncoreHelper.php
   

3. Load the helper in your controller (e.g., AppController):

   // app/Controller/AppController.php
   App::uses('Controller', 'Controller');
   
   class AppController extends Controller {
       public $helpers = ['Html', 'WebpackEncore.Encore'];
   }

   Now you can use $this->Encore in your views.

---

Configuration (Configure)

By default, the helper expects:

• entrypoints.json at webroot/build/entrypoints.json
• manifest.json at webroot/build/manifest.json

If you store these files in different locations, add the following to app/Config/bootstrap.php:

// app/Config/bootstrap.php

// Full filesystem path to entrypoints.json
Configure::write('WebpackEncore.entrypointsPath', WWW_ROOT . 'build/entrypoints.json');
// Full filesystem path to manifest.json
Configure::write('WebpackEncore.manifestPath',    WWW_ROOT . 'build/manifest.json');

Replace the paths accordingly if they differ.

---

Helper Methods

1. asset($assetPath)

Resolves a single logical asset path (as a key in manifest.json) to the final fingerprinted URL. Returns a web-accessible path (including leading slash).

// Given manifest.json contains:
// {
//   "build/images/logo.png": "/build/images/logo.3eed42.png"
// }

echo $this->Encore->asset('build/images/logo.png');
// Outputs: /build/images/logo.3eed42.png

2. image($assetPath, array $htmlAttributes = [])

Renders an <img> tag for a given image asset by resolving through manifest.json.

// Outputs: <img src="/build/images/cake_logo.3eed42.png" alt="CakePHP" />
echo $this->Encore->image('build/images/cake_logo.png', ['alt' => 'CakePHP']);

3. css($assetPaths, array $options = [])

Renders one or more <link> tags for CSS assets. The first argument can be a string or an array of strings. Each path is resolved via manifest.json, then passed to HtmlHelper::css().

// Single CSS file
echo $this->Encore->css('build/app.css', ['inline' => false]);

// Multiple CSS files
echo $this->Encore->css([
    'build/vendors.3d4e5f.css',
    'build/app.abc123.css'
], ['inline' => false]);

4. script($assetPaths, array $options = [])

Renders one or more <script> tags for JavaScript assets. Accepts a string or an array of strings. Each is resolved via manifest.json, then passed to HtmlHelper::script().

// Single JS file
echo $this->Encore->script('build/app.js', ['block' => true]);

// Multiple JS files
echo $this->Encore->script([
    'build/runtime.0a1b2c.js',
    'build/vendors.3d4e5f.js',
    'build/app.123abc.js'
], ['block' => true]);

5. entryLinkTags($entryName, array $options = [])

Reads entrypoints.json and renders <link> tags for all CSS files associated with the given entry (e.g., app, dashboard).

// entrypoints.json example:
// {
//   "entrypoints": {
//     "app": {
//       "css": ["/build/vendors.3d4e5f.css","/build/app.abc123.css"],
//       "js": ["/build/runtime.0a1b2c.js","/build/vendors.3d4e5f.js","/build/app.123abc.js"]
//     }
//   }
// }

echo $this->Encore->entryLinkTags('app', ['inline' => false]);
// Outputs two <link> tags for the app entry's CSS files

6. entryScriptTags($entryName, array $options = [])

Reads entrypoints.json and renders <script> tags for all JS files associated with the given entry.

echo $this->Encore->entryScriptTags('app', ['block' => true]);
// Outputs three <script> tags for the app entry's JS files

Example Layout Integration

In app/View/Layouts/default.ctp:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title><?php echo $this->fetch('title'); ?></title>

    <!-- Load all CSS for the 'app' entry -->
    <?php echo $this->Encore->entryLinkTags('app', ['inline' => false]); ?>
</head>
<body>
    <header>
        <!-- Render an image via manifest -->
        <?php echo $this->Encore->image('build/images/cake_logo.png', ['alt' => 'CakePHP']); ?>
    </header>

    <div class="content">
        <?php echo $this->fetch('content'); ?>
    </div>

    <footer>
        <!-- Footer content -->
    </footer>

    <!-- Load all JS for the 'app' entry -->
    <?php echo $this->Encore->entryScriptTags('app', ['block' => true]); ?>
</body>
</html>

• <head>: entryLinkTags('app') outputs <link> tags for all CSS associated with the app entry.
• <body>: entryScriptTags('app') outputs <script> tags for all JS associated with the app entry.
• The image() method resolves and renders an <img> tag for an image asset.

Notes

• Always rebuild your assets (run npm run encore dev or npm run encore production) after changing frontend code to update entrypoints.json and manifest.json.
• This helper expects the paths in both JSON files to start with /build/.... If you use a different directory, adjust the JSON outputs or change Configure::write('Encore.entrypointsPath', ...) and Configure::write('Encore.manifestPath', ...) accordingly.
• The helper loads and caches both JSON files once in its constructor for performance. Subsequent calls will not re-read the files.

License

This plugin is released under the MIT License. You are free to adapt and redistribute it in compliance with the license.