All Development Tools

Complete guide to local development environments and tools. Set up your localhost for PHP, WordPress, databases, and more.

Local Development Stacks

XAMPP Apache, MySQL, PHP, Perl - Cross-platform WAMP Apache, MySQL, PHP - Windows only MAMP Apache, MySQL, PHP - Mac & Windows Laragon Modern stack - Windows, Fast & Portable Docker Containers - Any OS

All Dev Tools A-Z

ToolPlatformDescriptionLink
XAMPPWindows, Mac, LinuxApache, MySQL, PHP, Perl stackGuide →
WAMPWindowsApache, MySQL, PHP for WindowsGuide →
MAMPMac, WindowsApache, MySQL, PHP for MacGuide →
LaragonWindowsModern, fast, portable stackGuide →
DockerAll platformsContainer-based developmentGuide →

WordPress Development

WordPress Install WordPress locally WP Admin Access WordPress dashboard

Database Tools

phpMyAdmin MySQL database management MySQL MySQL server localhost

Web Servers

Apache Apache HTTP Server Nginx Nginx web server

Configuration & Debugging

htdocs Document root directory phpinfo() PHP configuration info Dashboard XAMPP/WAMP dashboard

Choosing the Right Tool

If you need...Use this
Quick PHP/MySQL setup (any OS)XAMPP
Windows with easy switchingWAMP
Mac developmentMAMP
Fast, portable, modernLaragon
Isolated environmentsDocker