diff --git a/.github/workflows/php-quality.yml b/.github/workflows/php-quality.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d49f2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/php-quality.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+name: PHP quality checks
+
+on:
+  push:
+  pull_request:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  quality:
+    name: PHP ${{ matrix.php-version }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        php-version: ['8.2', '8.3', '8.4', '8.5']
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Check out repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up PHP
+        uses: shivammathur/setup-php@v2
+        with:
+          php-version: ${{ matrix.php-version }}
+          coverage: none
+          tools: parallel-lint, phpcs, phpstan
+
+      - name: Lint PHP sources
+        run: parallel-lint --exclude .git --exclude vendor src
+
+      - name: Check coding standards
+        run: phpcs --standard=phpcs.xml.dist
+
+      - name: Run static analysis
+        run: phpstan analyse --no-progress --configuration=phpstan.neon.dist
diff --git a/docs/art-ipf-migration-matrix.md b/docs/art-ipf-migration-matrix.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bdf16d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/art-ipf-migration-matrix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# Art → IPF migration matrix
+
+This module still mixes legacy Art-based persistence patterns with newer ImpressCMS conventions. The matrix below captures the intended migration target without changing runtime behavior in this PR.
+
+| Legacy area | Current responsibility | IPF-oriented target | Notes for follow-up |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `src/class/art/object.php` and related Art base classes | Shared object lifecycle, validation, and persistence helpers | Replace with IPF object and handler base classes | Start with low-risk handlers that already map cleanly to one table each |
+| `src/class/forum.php`, `src/class/topic.php`, `src/class/post.php` | Module domain objects and handler logic | Move table mapping and CRUD concerns into dedicated IPF handlers | Keep public method names stable while adapters are introduced |
+| `src/include/functions.ini.php` config loading | Module-wide config bootstrap | Route shared module/config access through the new bootstrap helper first | This reduces repeated dirname lookups before broader refactors |
+| Direct `icms_getmodulehandler()` calls throughout `src/` | Per-file handler lookup | Centralize lookup behind helper functions | Lets later refactors swap implementations in one place |
+| Install and update hooks in `src/include/module.php` | Schema/bootstrap orchestration | Move schema-aware logic behind dedicated service-style helpers | Leave hook entry points intact for compatibility |
+| Template-facing utility functions in `src/include/functions.php` | Mixed rendering and data access helpers | Separate presentation helpers from persistence access | Tackle after handler loading is consolidated |
+
+## Migration guardrails
+
+- Preserve the current module entry points and install/update hooks until handler migrations are complete.
+- Refactor one handler family at a time so existing forum, topic, and post behavior stays unchanged.
+- Prefer adding adapters and compatibility layers before deleting Art-based code.
+- Expand CI coverage alongside each phase so new IPF-oriented code is checked on all supported PHP versions.
diff --git a/docs/index.md b/docs/index.md
index d4ed6ff..3cbd76b 100644
--- a/docs/index.md
+++ b/docs/index.md
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 iForum is a full-featured discussion forum for ImpressCMS.
 
 [Templates](templates.md)
+[Art → IPF migration matrix](art-ipf-migration-matrix.md)
+[PHP 8 compatibility checklist](php8-compatibility-checklist.md)
+[Phased refactor roadmap](phased-refactor-roadmap.md)
diff --git a/docs/phased-refactor-roadmap.md b/docs/phased-refactor-roadmap.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ffdf4a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/phased-refactor-roadmap.md
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# Phased refactor roadmap
+
+This roadmap describes the intended migration path while keeping the module installable and behaviorally stable.
+
+## Phase 1: Developer safety nets
+
+- Add CI coverage for PHP linting, coding standards, and static analysis.
+- Document the Art → IPF migration path and PHP 8 review expectations.
+- Introduce a shared bootstrap helper for module lookup and handler loading without wiring it into runtime paths yet.
+
+## Phase 2: Shared access consolidation
+
+- Replace duplicated module dirname and handler lookup code in low-risk files with the shared helper.
+- Keep existing public entry points, hook signatures, and handler names unchanged.
+- Add narrowly scoped validation to each migrated slice before widening coverage.
+
+## Phase 3: Persistence layer migration
+
+- Migrate one handler family at a time from Art-based patterns to IPF-friendly structures.
+- Add adapters where needed so existing call sites keep working during the transition.
+- Separate persistence concerns from presentation helpers as handlers move over.
+
+## Phase 4: Cleanup and expansion
+
+- Broaden coding standards and static analysis coverage once migrated areas are stable.
+- Retire duplicate compatibility wrappers only after all call sites move to the shared abstractions.
+- Update developer documentation as each migration phase lands.
diff --git a/docs/php8-compatibility-checklist.md b/docs/php8-compatibility-checklist.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5c900f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/php8-compatibility-checklist.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# PHP 8 compatibility checklist
+
+Use this checklist when touching legacy iForum code while PHP 8.2 through PHP 8.5 remain supported in CI.
+
+## Baseline checks
+
+- Keep `parallel-lint` green across the full `src/` tree.
+- Keep coding standards and static analysis green for the shared bootstrap helper and any newly added developer-facing files.
+- Avoid introducing dynamic properties, removed functions, or deprecated string/array access patterns.
+
+## Review checklist for changes
+
+- Confirm `include_once` and `require_once` paths still resolve correctly when dirname helpers are touched.
+- Check for implicit `null` to scalar conversions and loose comparisons that become noisier on newer PHP versions.
+- Prefer explicit return values over relying on legacy truthy/falsy behavior.
+- Avoid adding new references to removed PHP extensions or incompatible third-party tooling.
+- Keep legacy global state access (`icms::$module`, config arrays, handler factories) wrapped behind helper functions where possible.
+
+## Before merging refactors
+
+- Re-run the PHP quality workflow on PHP 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5.
+- Verify install/update hooks still load through `src/icms_version.php` and `src/include/module.php`.
+- Confirm helper-only refactors do not alter templates, routes, or persisted data.
diff --git a/phpcs.xml.dist b/phpcs.xml.dist
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa2eac1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/phpcs.xml.dist
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<?xml version="1.0"?>
+<ruleset name="iForum developer checks">
+    <description>Coding standards coverage for the shared bootstrap helper added in this refactor slice.</description>
+
+    <arg name="basepath" value="."/>
+    <arg name="colors"/>
+    <arg name="warning-severity" value="0"/>
+
+    <file>src/include/bootstrap.php</file>
+
+    <rule ref="PSR12"/>
+</ruleset>
diff --git a/phpstan.neon.dist b/phpstan.neon.dist
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..070ba61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/phpstan.neon.dist
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+parameters:
+    level: 0
+    paths:
+        - src/include/bootstrap.php
+    bootstrapFiles:
+        - tools/phpstan-bootstrap.php
+    tmpDir: /tmp/phpstan-iforum
diff --git a/src/class/art/functions.locale.php b/src/class/art/functions.locale.php
index d367c6f..69e5a97 100644
--- a/src/class/art/functions.locale.php
+++ b/src/class/art/functions.locale.php
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ function xoops_local($func)
 		$msg = "<strong>The locale version is too old.</strong> Please copy <br />XOOPS/Frameworks/compat/language/english/<strong>local.php, local.class.php</strong> to XOOPS/language/english/";
 		if (icms::$config->getConfig("language") != "english") {
 			if (is_dir(ICMS_ROOT_PATH."/Frameworks/compat/language/".icms::$config->getConfig("language")."/")) {
-				$msg .= "<br />XOOPS/Frameworks/compat/language/".icms::$config->getConfig("language")."/<strong>local.php</strong> to XOOPS/language/".icms::$config->getConfig("language"]."/";
+				$msg .= "<br />XOOPS/Frameworks/compat/language/".icms::$config->getConfig("language")."/<strong>local.php</strong> to XOOPS/language/".icms::$config->getConfig("language")."/";
 			} else {
 				$msg .= "<br />And modify XOOPS/language/".icms::$config->getConfig("language")."/<strong>local.php</strong> according to XOOPS/language/english/local.php";
 			}
diff --git a/src/include/bootstrap.php b/src/include/bootstrap.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0adf5bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/include/bootstrap.php
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+<?php
+
+/**
+ * iForum - shared bootstrap helpers.
+ *
+ * @package iForum
+ */
+
+defined('ICMS_ROOT_PATH') or exit();
+
+if (defined('IFORUM_BOOTSTRAP')) {
+    return;
+}
+
+define('IFORUM_BOOTSTRAP', 1);
+
+function iforum_get_module_dirname()
+{
+    static $moduleDirname;
+
+    if (!isset($moduleDirname)) {
+        $moduleDirname = basename(dirname(__FILE__, 2));
+    }
+
+    return $moduleDirname;
+}
+
+function iforum_get_module_path($path = '')
+{
+    $modulePath = ICMS_ROOT_PATH . '/modules/' . iforum_get_module_dirname();
+
+    if ($path === '') {
+        return $modulePath;
+    }
+
+    return $modulePath . '/' . ltrim($path, '/');
+}
+
+function &iforum_get_module()
+{
+    static $module;
+
+    if (isset($module)) {
+        return $module;
+    }
+
+    if (
+        isset(icms::$module)
+        && is_object(icms::$module)
+        && icms::$module->getVar('dirname', 'n') === iforum_get_module_dirname()
+    ) {
+        $module = icms::$module;
+
+        return $module;
+    }
+
+    $moduleHandler = icms::handler('icms_module');
+    $module = $moduleHandler->getByDirname(iforum_get_module_dirname());
+
+    return $module;
+}
+
+function &iforum_get_handler($handlerName)
+{
+    $handler = icms_getmodulehandler($handlerName, iforum_get_module_dirname(), 'iforum');
+
+    return $handler;
+}
diff --git a/tools/phpstan-bootstrap.php b/tools/phpstan-bootstrap.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..41e659f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/phpstan-bootstrap.php
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+<?php
+
+if (!class_exists('icms')) {
+    class icms
+    {
+        public static $module;
+
+        public static function handler($name)
+        {
+            return new class {
+                public function getByDirname($dirname)
+                {
+                    return null;
+                }
+            };
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+if (!function_exists('icms_getmodulehandler')) {
+    function icms_getmodulehandler($name, $dirname, $module = '')
+    {
+        return null;
+    }
+}