---
title: "Breaking: #78384 - Frontend ignores TCA in ext_tables.php"
manual: "TYPO3 Core Changelog"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/changelog:breaking-78384"
source: "Changelog/8.5/Breaking-78384-FrontendIgnoresTCAInExtTables.rst"
modified: "2026-09-14T09:47:36+00:00"
---

# Breaking: #78384 - Frontend ignores TCA in ext_tables.php

See [forge#78384](https://forge.typo3.org/issues/78384)

## Description

Frontend requests no longer load `ext_tables.php` in requests. The only exception is if a backend user is
logged in to the backend at the same time to initialize the admin panel or frontend editing.

## Impact

Since especially a not yet cached frontend call relies on initialized `$GLOBALS['TCA']`, changes to `TCA` done
within `ext_tables.php` are now ignored and may fail.

## Affected Installations

Extensions that still set, add or remove settings in `$GLOBALS['TCA']` need to be adapted. The install tool
provides test "TCA ext_tables check" to find such extensions.

## Migration

In `ext_tables.php` neither writing directly to `$GLOBALS['TCA']` and `$TCA` is allowed, nor writing indirectly
via `ExtensionManagementUtility` methods. An example list of calls and their new positions:

-   `$GLOBALS['TCA']['someTable'] =`: A full table `TCA` is added. This must be moved
    to `Configuration/TCA/someTable.php`, see `ext:sys_note` as example.
-   `ExtensionManagementUtility::addStaticFile()`: A static file is registered
    in `sys_template`. Add this to `Configuration/TCA/Overrides/sys_template.php`, see `ext:rtehtmlarea` as example.
-   `ExtensionManagementUtility::addTCAcolumns()`: Columns are added to a table. Add this
    to `Configuration/TCA/Overrides/<table>.php`, see `ext:felogin` as example.
-   `ExtensionManagementUtility::addToAllTCAtypes()`: Fields are added to types. Add this
    to `Configuration/TCA/Overrides/<table>.php`, see `ext:felogin` as example.
-   `ExtensionManagementUtility::addPiFlexFormValue()`: A new flex from in `tt_content` is registered. Add
    this to `Configuration/TCA/Overrides/tt_content.php`, see `ext:felogin` as example.
-   `ExtensionUtility::registerPlugin()` and `ExtensionManagementUtility::addPlugin`: A new type item
    is added to the `tt_content` table. Add this to `Configuration/TCA/Overrides/tt_content.php`.