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Introduction

LaraEnv is a native Windows development environment for PHP, Laravel, WordPress, and Node.js projects. It ships as a compact native binary that runs on the WebView2 runtime built into modern Windows — there is no WSL, no Docker, and no Electron involved.

Why LaraEnv​

Most local dev stacks ask you to choose between heavy virtualization (WSL/Docker) and aging all-in-one bundles. LaraEnv takes a different path:

  • Native and fast. Services run directly on Windows, not inside a VM or container.
  • Tiny footprint. A single small binary backed by WebView2 — no bundled browser engine.
  • Multi-version everything. Run multiple PHP and Node.js versions side by side, with automatic detection or manual choices for each project.
  • Batteries included. Web servers, databases, cache, mail, a terminal with optional coding-agent sessions, SSH, cron, and deployments are all integrated into one app.

Who it's for​

LaraEnv is built for Windows developers working on:

  • PHP / Laravel applications
  • WordPress sites
  • Node.js apps and tooling

If you build on Windows and want a clean, native stack without containers, LaraEnv is for you.

What's included​

LaraEnv bundles and manages the tools a typical web project needs:

  • Web servers: Nginx, Apache, and Caddy
  • Databases: MySQL and PostgreSQL
  • Cache: Redis
  • Mail: Mailpit (catches outgoing mail for local testing)
  • Languages: multiple PHP versions, including PHP 8.5 and an explicitly marked 8.6 beta, Node.js (LTS and Current), and Python
  • Tooling: Composer, Cmder
  • Built-in features: searchable projects with client tags, Site Doctor, automatic PHP/Node detection, a terminal with files and Git, optional coding-agent sessions and MCP, SSH, cron, and deployments

How it compares​

If you've used Laragon, XAMPP, or Herd, LaraEnv will feel familiar but more capable:

  • Faster and native — no container or VM overhead.
  • True multi-version PHP and Node, switchable on the fly.
  • Integrated tools — terminal, project-scoped coding agents, SSH, cron, and deploys in one place.
  • Local deployments — connect to your saved SSH hosts and keep deployment settings and history on your computer.
  • Optional cloud — opt in to hosted sync and account services when you choose.

Open source and local use​

The desktop repository contains the source, releases and guides. Original desktop code is licensed under Apache-2.0; third-party components retain their own licenses. See Contributing to help with code, translations or documentation.

Projects, runtimes, services, terminals, files, Git, SSH, cron, deploy presets and the local deployment engine work without a LaraEnv account or subscription. Installed local features do not depend on the LaraEnv API. Downloads, remote Git, SSH, certificate issuance, updates and external providers still need their own networks and credentials.

Cloud integration starts disabled. Hosted accounts, plans and billing belong to that optional service; they do not authorize local desktop features. The cloud backend remains separately maintained and private.

Release 0.5.7 and historical screenshots can show the earlier Free/Pro model. The public source now removes local plan gates; no new official binary is being announced by this guide.

Next steps​

Ready to get going? Head to Installation.