CodeIgniter Backend Development Support

I need a seasoned PHP developer who works comfortably in CodeIgniter to take ownership of the server-side logic for an existing web application. Your main goal is to clean up and extend the current codebase, tighten security, and expose well-structured REST endpoints that the front-end team can consume.

Here is the environment you will step into: PHP 8, CodeIgniter 4, MySQL, Git, and an Ubuntu VPS. The application already runs but new business rules, user roles, and reporting modules have to be added. I will share a private repository and a staging URL once we agree on the collaboration flow.

Because this project underpins several other initiatives in our roadmap, I value sound architecture and readable code over raw speed. There is no hard deadline; instead, we will work through Git issues and milestones in an orderly way. Pull requests must include clear commit messages, PSR-12 compliance, and basic unit tests so I can merge with confidence.

If you thrive on backend challenges, can document decisions in concise markdown, and have a track record of delivering secure, maintainable CodeIgniter applications, I’d like to hear how you would tackle the next feature set.