CodeIgniterApr 2026 · 8 min read

CI3 to CI4 migration: a battle-tested checklist

After migrating 20+ legacy apps, here's the exact sequence that avoids breaking production.

After migrating 20+ legacy CodeIgniter apps from version 3 to version 4, we have a tight checklist. Start with a parallel install rather than in-place. Run both versions side by side until parity is reached. Use the upgrade tool only for routes and config — controllers and models almost always need a real rewrite. Plan for a deployment freeze of two days minimum. Test the auth flow last because session handling differs subtly. The detailed checklist follows…

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CI3 to CI4 migration: a battle-tested checklist — Kedaya Tech LLP — Kedaya Tech LLP