How do I choose the right Yii application template for my project?
Jul 29, 2025 am 02:15 AMChoosing the appropriate Yii application template depends on the project size, structural needs and long-term goals. 1. The base template is suitable for small projects, such as APIs or single-page applications; the advanced template supports multiple entry points and user roles, and is suitable for large scalable applications. 2. Choose basic templates for simple projects, and choose advanced templates for complex systems. 3. Check whether the template contains pre-built features such as RBAC, AdminLTE theme, or API structure to save development time. 4. Considering team size and future scalability, small teams can start from the foundation, and plan growth directly use advanced templates. In short, start small, unless you are sure that more structure is needed, the template is just the starting point and can be reconstructed later.
Choosing the right Yii application template really comes down to understanding your project's scope, structure needs, and long-term goals. Yii offers several templates out of the box — basic, advanced, and a few third-party ones like yii2-app-template or yii2-adminLTE-theme. Each has its own use case.
Here are the key things to consider when picking one:
1. Basic vs Advanced Template: Know the Different
Yii provides two main templates:
Basic Template
It's minimal and great for small projects like APIs, landing pages, or simple web apps. It has a single entry point (index.php
), one config file, and a clean folder structure.Advanced Template
Designed for larger applications. Comes with multiple entry points (frontend, backend, console), separate configs, user roles, and ready-to-use modules. Ideal if you're building something scalable from day one.
If you're unsure whether you'll need multiple user roles, admin panels, or plan to grow the app over time — go with the advanced template. You can always simplify it later.
2. What Kind of Application Are You Building?
This is probably the biggest deciding factor.
For Simple Use Cases:
- Landing pages
- Microservices or APIs
- Prototypes or internal tools
? Go with the basic template . It's faster to set up and easier to maintain for small teams or solo developers.
For Complex Applications:
- E-commerce platforms
- Multi-user systems (admin frontend)
- Enterprise-level apps with console commands, cron jobs, etc.
? Stick with the advanced template . It already includes environment separation, which helps manage complexity early on.
If you're not sure yet, start with the basic one. It's easier to upgrade than to strip down the advanced version.
3. Check for Pre-built Features and Third-party Integrations
Some templates come with extra features that might save you time:
- User login/registration system
- RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) setup
- UI themes like AdminLTE or Bootstrap pre-integrated
- API-ready structures
For example:
-
yii2-app-template
gives you a more modern folder layout. -
yii2-adminlte-theme
integrates the popular AdminLTE dashboard UI.
If your project needs any of these features, look for a template that already includes them. It cuts down development time significantly.
4. Consider Team Size and Future Scalability
If you're working alone or in a small team with tight deadlines, the basic template is often enough. But if you're planning for growth — like adding a backend panel, mobile API, or CLI tools — the advanced template sets you up better.
Also, think about how comfortable your team is navigating a more complex structure. The advanced template has a steering curve but pays off in the long run.
In short, ask yourself:
- Is this a small or large-scale project?
- Do I need multiple environments (frontend, backend)?
- Will I benefit from built-in modules or UI integrations?
Start simple unless you're certain you'll need more structure. And remember, while templates give you a head start, they don't lock you in forever — you can always reflector as your app evolves.
Basically that's it.
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