How to properly set PHP environment variable to run commands in Git Bash

You need to add the PHP directory to your path. On the command line, it would look like this:

SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\wamp\bin\php\php5.5

if in doubt, it's the directory containing the php.exe.

You can also pre-set the path in Windows' control panel. See here on how to do this in Windows 7 for example.

Be aware that if you call the PHP executable from an arbitrary directory, that directory will be the working directory. You may need to adjust your scripts so they use the proper directories for their file operations (if there are any).

If you prefer to have it all in the unixy context of your bash cmd window:

1. Open the bash window and you find by default you're in the root directory

   $ pwd
   /
   

2. change to your user directory

   $ cd ~
   $ pwd
   /c/Users/nickw
   

3. create a .bash_profile file or append to an existing one (use single quotes or $PATH will get interpolated)

   $ echo 'PATH=$PATH:/i/wamp64/bin/php/php5.6.19' >> .bash_profile
   

4. check the file has the entry

   $ cat .bash_profile
   PATH=$PATH:/i/wamp64/bin/php/php5.6.19
   

5. close the bash window and open a new one to check

   $ php --version
   PHP 5.6.19 (cli) (built: Mar  2 2016 20:09:42)
   Copyright (c) 1997-2016 The PHP Group
   Zend Engine v2.6.0, Copyright (c) 1998-2016 Zend Technologies