Code for .htaccess to remove .php from the url extension

I tried that and it didn't work. Still blocking me from seeing the login.

AddHandler php53 .php .html
Action php53 /cgi-bin/php53.cgi

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^([^/]+)/$ /$1 [R=301,L]
# Redirect external .php requests to extensionless url
RewriteCond %{THE_REQUEST} ^(.+)\.php([#?][^\ ]*)?\ HTTP/
RewriteRule ^(.+)\.php$ /$1 [R=301,L]
# Resolve .php file for extensionless php urls
RewriteRule ^([^/.]+)$ $1.php [L]
RewriteRule ^perch - [L]

Try putting RewriteRule ^perch - [L] as the first rule, right under RewriteEngine On (rules fire sequentially, from top to bottom).

Edit: I'd also highly recommend an article written by Drew on 24 Ways, URL Rewriting for the Fearful. It was a total game-changer for me. You'll find details about "Excluding a Directory" under the "Useful Snippets" heading.

Thanks, that did the trick.

One problem I am now encountering is that although I am able to log in, I am having issues with the assets folder. I am able to add items to the assets folder, but when I want to use the images I get a spinning wheel waiting for the assets to load. This only happens when the .htaccess code is present.

Any fixes?

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^perch - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^([^/]+)/$ /$1 [R=301,L]
# Redirect external .php requests to extensionless url
RewriteCond %{THE_REQUEST} ^(.+)\.php([#?][^\ ]*)?\ HTTP/
RewriteRule ^(.+)\.php$ /$1 [R=301,L]
# Resolve .php file for extensionless php urls
RewriteRule ^([^/.]+)$ $1.php [L]

From clicking on assets in the dashboard I can see the assets and it allows me to create new assets. It is when I go to a page and try to add an asset via the image content where the page slides over to the assets pane which remains white and has the turning wheel.

Yes the panels on the right that should have the tiles of assets to choose from. There is where lies the spinning wheel as if waiting for the images to populate the tiles so I can then select an asset. It however stays like that indefinitely.

None at all. Only what I have described.

Not sure what you mean when you say network tab?

how about I make you log in and you can get a feel as to what I mean.