[Development Guides Home](/guides) >> [Guide to the LiveAPI System](/guides/guide-to-the-liveapi-system)

# Guide to the LiveAPI System - PHP Class

The LiveAPI PHP Class provides an environment for PHP applications. You can find this PHP class in the `/usr/local/cpanel/php/cpanel.php` file.

## Basic use

* PHP applications that use the LiveAPI PHP class **must** instantiate the CPANEL object.
* PHP filenames **must** end in either the `.livephp` or `.live.php` file extensions.
* Save files to the `/usr/local/cpanel/base/frontend/theme/` directory, where `theme` represents the cPanel theme, or create a symlink to the appropriate files.


The following example script uses the LiveAPI PHP class to call the [`DomainInfo::domains_data`](/openapi/cpanel/operation/domains_data/) UAPI function:


```php
// Instantiate the CPANEL object.
require_once "/usr/local/cpanel/php/cpanel.php";

// Connect to cPanel - only do this once.
$cpanel = new CPANEL();

// Get domain user data.
$get_userdata = $cpanel->uapi(
    'DomainInfo', 'domains_data',
    array(
        'format'    => 'hash',
    )
);

// Perform the desired actions.
```

### Instantiate the CPANEL object


```php
// Instantiate the CPANEL object.
require_once "/usr/local/cpanel/php/cpanel.php";
```

This instantiates the `CPANEL` object. This ensures that the script or application uses the LiveAPI PHP class.

### Connect to cPanel & WHM


```php
// Connect to cPanel - only do this once.
$cpanel = new CPANEL();
```

This uses the LiveAPI `new()` method to connect to cPanel & WHM. For more information, read our [LiveAPI Methods](/guides/guide-to-the-liveapi-system/guide-to-the-liveapi-system-liveapi-methods) documentation.

* You **must** include this line in all LiveAPI PHP code.
* **Only** include this line **once** in any file.


### Call cPanel & WHM API 1 functions


```php
// Get domain user data.
$get_userdata = $cpanel->uapi(
    'DomainInfo', 'domains_data',
    array(
        'format'    => 'hash',
    )
);
```

This part of the script uses the `uapi()` method to call the [`DomainInfo::domains_data`](/openapi/cpanel/operation/domains_data/) UAPI function, and assign the function's output as a hash reference to the `$get_userdata` variable.

* You can call multiple functions in a single file.
* For more information and use examples, read that function's documentation. All cPanel API 1, cPanel API 2, and UAPI function documents include specific examples for the LiveAPI PHP class.


### Perform the desired actions


```php
// Perform the desired actions.
```

Your script or application's actions could combine any of PHP's many functions.