How can I fix the missing ext-mongodb error in my Dockerized Laravel 11 setup?

Below is a checklist and some adjustments to ensure that the MongoDB PHP extension is properly installed and enabled in every container that runs PHP (including the one that runs Composer):

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1. Verify Installation in the PHP Image

Your Dockerfile already installs and enables the extension with:

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RUN pecl install mongodb && docker-php-ext-enable mongodb

This command should install the latest stable version from PECL and enable it. You can verify it by checking the output of:

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RUN php -m | grep mongodb

If it prints “mongodb”, then the extension is enabled in this image.

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2. Check the Version Requirement

Your error shows:

• mongodb/laravel-mongodb requires ext-mongodb ^1.15
• mongodb/mongodb requires ext-mongodb ^1.20.0

Sometimes the default PECL install (without specifying a version) might choose a version below 1.20. To be safe, you can install version 1.20.0 (or a later version meeting the constraint) explicitly:

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RUN pecl install mongodb-1.20.0 && docker-php-ext-enable mongodb

Adjust the version number if a newer version is available that still meets the package requirements.

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3. Double‑Check PHP Configurations for CLI and FPM

Composer runs via PHP CLI. Although your PHP‑FPM image shows the extension enabled, make sure that the PHP CLI uses the same configuration. In your container, run:

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php --ini

and verify that an ini file (for example, a mongodb.ini) with “extension=mongodb.so” is loaded. The line you added manually:

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RUN echo "extension=mongodb.so" >> /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/mongodb.ini

should ensure the CLI picks it up. If it’s already added by docker‑php‑ext‑enable, you might remove the duplicate line to avoid confusion.

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4. Consider the Composer Container

If you are running Composer in a separate container (for example, if you’re using a dedicated Composer image or Laravel Sail’s composer container), that container also needs the extension. The error message you’re seeing (from mongodb/laravel-mongodb and mongodb/mongodb) comes from Composer’s environment. To fix it:

• Option A: Modify the Dockerfile used by your Composer container to include the same commands for installing and enabling ext-mongodb.

• Option B: If you’re using Laravel Sail or a similar tool and cannot easily change the composer container, you could temporarily bypass the requirement with:

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  composer install --ignore-platform-req=ext-mongodb

  However, it’s better to have the extension installed so that tests and runtime behavior are identical.

For example, if you maintain your own composer container based on a PHP image, you could create a Dockerfile like this:

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FROM php:8.2-cli

RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y autoconf pkg-config libssl-dev
RUN pecl install mongodb-1.20.0 && docker-php-ext-enable mongodb
WORKDIR /app

Then use it for your composer commands.

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Summary

• Explicitly install a compatible version: Use pecl install mongodb-1.20.0 (or a later version) so you meet the requirement of the locked packages.
• Ensure CLI and FPM use the same configuration: Verify with php --ini in both modes.
• Check your Composer container: Make sure the PHP container running Composer has the MongoDB extension installed.

Implement these changes in your Dockerfiles (for both your PHP‑FPM and Composer images) and rebuild your containers:

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docker-compose build
docker-compose up

This should resolve the ext-mongodb missing error.