Development
- 16 May, 2026
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When using a Linux system, many developers do not use XAMPP like they do on Windows.
Instead, Linux developers usually install a native development stack manually.
This setup is faster, cleaner, more stable, and more professional.
A typical Linux local development environment includes:
- Apache Web Server
- MySQL or MariaDB
- PHP
- phpMyAdmin
- Custom Local Domains (
projectname.local)
This guide explains everything step by step in a simple and practical way.
Step 1 — Update Your System
Before installing anything, update your Linux packages.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yWhat does this do?
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
apt update | Refreshes package lists |
apt upgrade | Updates installed packages |
-y | Automatically confirms installation |
Step 2 — Install Apache
Apache is the web server that will run your PHP, Laravel, and WordPress projects.
Install Apache
sudo apt install apache2 -yStep 3 — Start Apache
sudo systemctl start apache2Enable Apache on system boot:
sudo systemctl enable apache2Step 4 — Test Apache
Open your browser and visit:
http://localhostIf you see the Apache default page, the installation worked successfully
Step 5 — Install MySQL
Now install the database server.
sudo apt install mysql-server -yStep 6 — Secure MySQL
Run the MySQL security script:
sudo mysql_secure_installationDuring setup:
- Create a root password
- Remove anonymous users
- Disable remote root login
- Remove test database
You can safely choose Y for most options.
Step 7 — Start MySQL
sudo systemctl start mysqlEnable MySQL on boot:
sudo systemctl enable mysqlStep 8 — Install PHP
PHP is required for Laravel, WordPress, and other PHP applications.
sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql -yStep 9 — Install Important PHP Extensions
Modern PHP frameworks require additional extensions.
sudo apt install php-cli php-curl php-zip php-mbstring php-xml php-bcmath unzip curl git -yStep 10 — Check PHP Version
php -vStep 11 — Restart Apache
After installing PHP modules, restart Apache.
sudo systemctl restart apache2Step 12 — Install phpMyAdmin
If you want a graphical interface for managing databases:
sudo apt install phpmyadmin -yDuring installation:
- Select Apache2
- Choose “Yes” for dbconfig-common
Step 13 — Open phpMyAdmin
Visit:
http://localhost/phpmyadminStep 14 — Default Web Root Directory
Apache stores websites inside:
/var/www/htmlMove into that directory:
cd /var/www/htmlStep 15 — Create a Project Folder
sudo mkdir myprojectGive ownership permissions:
sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/html/myprojectStep 16 — Create a Professional Local Domain
Instead of using:
localhost/myprojectYou can create a clean local domain like:
myproject.localThis is how professional local development environments are configured.
Step 17 — Create a Virtual Host File
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/myproject.local.confStep 18 — Add Virtual Host Configuration
Paste this configuration:
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName myproject.local
ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost
DocumentRoot /var/www/html/myproject/public
<Directory /var/www/html/myproject/public>
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>What does this configuration do?
| Line | Purpose |
|---|---|
ServerName | Defines your custom local domain |
DocumentRoot | Defines the project folder |
AllowOverride All | Enables .htaccess |
Require all granted | Allows browser access |
Step 19 — Enable Apache Rewrite Module
Required for Laravel routing.
sudo a2enmod rewriteStep 20 — Enable Your Virtual Host
sudo a2ensite myproject.local.confStep 21 — Edit Hosts File
Open the hosts file:
sudo nano /etc/hostsAdd this line at the bottom:
127.0.0.1 myproject.localStep 22 — Restart Apache
sudo systemctl restart apache2Step 23 — Test Your Local Domain
Open:
http://myproject.localYour local project should now load successfully
Useful Apache Commands
Restart Apache
sudo systemctl restart apache2Stop Apache
sudo systemctl stop apache2Check Apache Status
sudo systemctl status apache2Useful MySQL Commands
Check MySQL Status
sudo systemctl status mysqlRestart MySQL
sudo systemctl restart mysqlFinal Development Flow
Linux
↓
Apache
↓
PHP
↓
MySQL
↓
Laravel / WordPress
↓
myproject.local
Quick Full Installation Command
Install everything together:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install apache2 mysql-server php
libapache2-mod-php php-mysql php-cli php-curl
php-zip php-mbstring php-xml php-bcmath
composer unzip curl git -yLeave a comment
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