A modern, offline-first local PHP development environment built exclusively for Windows.
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LocalDeck brings a complete local web-development stack into one polished Windows desktop application. Start every service individually, manage projects and databases, create local domains with automatic HTTPS, inspect captured email, and choose whether the stack runs only with LocalDeck or as persistent Windows services.
The complete runtime is included. The standard setup requires no LocalDeck account, license key, online activation, or separate component downloads.
| Local stack control | Project workflow | Safer daily development |
|---|---|---|
| Start and stop Apache, PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, Mailpit, and Redis separately | Create or import PHP, WordPress, Laravel, Symfony, and Drupal projects | Automatic trusted local HTTPS certificates per project |
| Change ports with validation and Port Autopilot | Use dedicated .localhost or .test domains and project-specific PHP versions |
Restore points for files, databases, configuration, and captured mail |
| Run in app mode or as real Windows services | Clone Git projects and create isolated branch environments | Local diagnostics, security checks, release gates, and safe repairs |
| Open localhost, phpMyAdmin, Mail Management, and Web Management from the dashboard | Keep websites and project data together in a portable folder structure | No console windows during normal service operation |
| Component | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Apache | Local web server and virtual hosts |
| PHP 8.2–8.5 | Side-by-side runtimes and isolated FastCGI pools per project |
| MySQL | Local relational databases, users, backups, imports, and exports |
| phpMyAdmin | Browser-based database management with automatic local sign-in |
| Mailpit + LocalDeck Mail Management | SMTP capture, virtual test inboxes, search, source view, and retention controls |
| Redis | Local cache, sessions, queues, and worker workflows |
| Composer | PHP dependency management and project tasks |
| mkcert, WinSW, and supporting runtimes | Automatic local certificates and optional Windows service mode |
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| App mode | Works like a traditional local stack: services run while LocalDeck is active and stop when the application is fully closed. |
| Windows service mode | Selected services run independently and can start with Windows. LocalDeck remains the dashboard used to configure and inspect them. |
Closing the main window can minimize LocalDeck to the Windows notification area, so the dashboard disappears without interrupting active work.
- Open the LocalDeck download page.
- Choose the EXE installer or the ZIP extract-only package.
- Start LocalDeck and select app mode or Windows service mode.
- Select Start all or start only the services your project needs.
- Open
http://localhost, your project domain, phpMyAdmin, or Web Management directly from the dashboard.
LocalDeck stores local websites in its dedicated websites folder. The ZIP edition can be extracted into a folder of your choice and launched through LocalDeck.exe without running an installer.
- Automatic
.localhostand.testproject domains - A dedicated locally trusted certificate for every new or imported project
- Complete project cleanup with a clear confirmation before files, databases, backups, domains, certificates, and LocalDeck metadata are removed
- Port conflict detection, process ownership, safe changes, rollback, and Port Autopilot
- Database creation, inspection, users, backups, snapshots, safe SQL, schema comparison, and anonymized test data
- Local email capture with a richer management interface on top of Mailpit
- One-click project templates and XAMPP, WampServer, and Laragon migration tools
- Project capsules, start profiles, task runners, queue workers, Xdebug tools, API testing, and webhook capture
- English and Dutch interfaces across the desktop app, Web Management, Mail Management, and local start pages
- Update notifications with SHA-256 verification and atomic rollback support
- Offline runtime installation with no hidden CMD or PowerShell windows during normal use
LocalDeck for Windows is published in two formats:
| Download | Use it when… |
|---|---|
| EXE installer | You want the standard Windows installation wizard, shortcuts, and an installed application. |
| ZIP extract-only | You want to extract LocalDeck into a folder of your choice and run LocalDeck.exe directly. |
The newest release is always shown first, while older versions remain available from the release archive.
For a concise, human-readable overview of every notable change, see Latest updates.
- Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit
- Enough free disk space for the application, bundled runtime, databases, and projects
- Administrator approval only when Windows itself requires it, such as service registration, trusted certificate installation, or system DNS/hosts changes
LocalDeck is designed for local development. Projects, databases, captured email, logs, certificates, and diagnostics remain on the computer. No LocalDeck account or activation is required. Internet access is limited to documented features, including the configurable automatic update check and user-triggered Git, Composer, tool download, SMTP, or online template actions.
See Privacy for the exact network behavior of the desktop application and website.
LocalDeck is open-source software under the Apache License 2.0. Contributions are welcome under the rules in CONTRIBUTING.md. Bundled runtimes retain their own licenses and are documented in Third-party notices and the machine-readable runtime source lock.
LocalDeck is preparing an application to the SignPath Foundation open-source program. Existing public test releases remain unsigned until an approved trusted workflow produces verified replacements.
Free code signing provided by SignPath.io, certificate by SignPath Foundation.
The quoted attribution describes the intended sponsorship after acceptance; it is not a claim that the current release is already signed. See the Code signing policy, Security policy, and SignPath onboarding dossier.
LocalDeck is an Electron, React, Vite, and TypeScript application. Development is Windows-first.
pnpm install
pnpm devRun the regular project checks with:
pnpm check
pnpm buildThe large redistributable runtime bundles are included in the official LocalDeck downloads but are intentionally not stored in this source repository. Maintainers with the complete offline runtime workspace can additionally run Validate-LocalDeck.ps1. Release artifacts are produced only after that start-ready Windows workspace has passed the full validation workflow.
- Documentation and troubleshooting
- Latest product updates
- Questions, bug reports, and ideas
- Windows downloads and older releases
- Privacy, security, and support policy
- License, contributing, and code signing policy
LocalDeck is built for developers who want the convenience of an all-in-one local stack without giving up modern project isolation, automatic HTTPS, recoverability, and transparent service control.