Thodoris Kouleris
Software Engineer
Laravel Herd: The Easiest Way to Build Laravel Applications Locally
If you've ever spent hours configuring PHP, web servers, virtual hosts, or database services just to start a new Laravel project, you know how frustrating local development can be. You might say that php artisan serve solves the problam but what if you want to run a site with https?. Fortunately, Laravel Herd aims to eliminate that complexity and provide a fast, lightweight, and seamless development experience. Whether you're new to Laravel or a seasoned developer, Herd makes getting started remarkably simple.
What Is Laravel Herd?
Laravel Herd is a native local development environment created by the Laravel team. Designed for both macOS and Windows, it provides everything you need to run PHP applications locally without relying on Docker, virtual machines, or complex server configurations.
Unlike traditional local development tools, Herd focuses on simplicity. Install it once, and you're ready to create and run Laravel applications with minimal setup.
One of Herd's biggest advantages is how quickly you can get started. Instead of installing and configuring PHP manually, Herd bundles everything into a streamlined installer.
Within minutes, you can, install PHP, create new Laravel projects, serve applications automatically, switch between multiple PHP versions., test you application with https.
Multiple PHP Versions Made Easy
Modern development often requires supporting different PHP versions across multiple projects.
Herd allows you to, install multiple PHP versions, switch globally with a few clicks, Override the PHP version for individual projects, test applications against different runtime environments.
While Herd can run any PHP application, it is clearly optimized for the Laravel ecosystem. It integrates naturally with Laravel installer, artisan commands and composer.
Verdict
Laravel Herd represents the Laravel community's philosophy of developer happiness. It removes unnecessary complexity, reduces setup time, and lets developers focus on building applications instead of configuring environments.
For anyone starting a new Laravel project or simply looking to simplify their local workflow, Herd is well worth trying. It delivers a polished experience, excellent performance, and seamless integration with the Laravel ecosystem, making local development easier than ever.