Your local stack. One trusted desktop app.
EnvKit runs nginx or Apache, PHP, databases, queues, Mailpit and Node dev servers behind trusted .test HTTPS — with AI/MCP control from your editor when you need it.
irm https://envkit.net/install.ps1 | iexStopped: Nginx, PHP, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, Mailpit, MongoDB
- PHP4 sitesWordPress2Laravel1PHP1Stopped
- Node.js22.112 sitesNext.js1React · Vite1Dev servers start with their site
- Static files1 siteStatic1Served by Nginx
| Service | Status | Port | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stopped | — | ||
| Stopped | — | ||
| Stopped | — | ||
| Stopped | — | ||
| Stopped | — | ||
| Stopped | — | ||
| Stopped | — |
- acme-store.testLaravelPHP 8.3
- acme-blog.testWordPressPHP 8.2
- agency-site.testWordPressPHP 8.3
- dashboard.testNext.js
- portfolio.testReact · Vite
- landing.testStatic
Bundled runtimes and services, managed from one desktop app instead of scattered installers.
A local dev stack with the rough edges already handled
nginx or Apache, PHP-FPM, Laravel Reverb, databases, queues, Mailpit, Node dev servers and trusted .test HTTPS — wired as one local environment instead of a tray full of fixes.
See every dump, query and mail as it happens
Intercept dump() and dd(), catch N+1 and slow queries, and watch mail, views, events, jobs and outgoing HTTP stream live — scoped per site and per git branch, across Laravel and Symfony. Your response stays clean unless you turn passthrough on, and your AI assistant can read it over MCP.
nginx and Apache without the ritual
Install both, switch from Settings, and serve Laravel, WordPress, SPA or static projects with per-site rewrites and PHP FastCGI already wired.
Every PHP version, isolated per site
Choose a global default, pin versions per project, and use Xdebug only when a request asks for it so the rest of your stack stays quick.
Databases, queues, and admin UIs in one place
MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis and MongoDB ship with one-click pgweb, mongo-express and phpMyAdmin access on trusted local hosts.
Reverb-ready PHP apps, without port drama
Run Laravel Reverb beside PHP-FPM, Redis, queues and your database, then route WebSocket traffic through the same trusted local stack.
Trusted .test sites that feel production-like
Automatic *.test hostnames backed by a locally trusted CA. Configurable TLD and a managed default site for 127.0.0.1.
Node, React, Next.js and PHP side by side
Scaffold or link a project; EnvKit runs the dev server and reverse-proxies it with hot-reload over HTTPS. nvm plus per-project .nvmrc.
Catch every email before it leaves
Mailpit catches password resets, notifications and test sends from Laravel, WordPress and Node apps. Read them in the inbox built into EnvKit, with a desktop notification when new mail lands.
Move from Laragon without rebuilding projects
Import existing Laragon sites and enabled PHP extensions so your current projects can land in EnvKit with their local workflow intact.
Cron jobs managed beside your stack
Schedule Laravel schedule:run, backup scripts and sync jobs. Each job shows its schedule in plain words, the next three runs before you save, and its last output and status.
Let your editor operate the stack
EnvKit finds Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, Zed and other AI apps on your machine and connects them in one click. They can then run services, sites and diagnostics over MCP.
From installer to trusted local site in minutes
No manual certificates, no hosts-file edits, no service juggling — EnvKit wires it all up the moment you add a site.
Install EnvKit
Download one installer for Windows or macOS. EnvKit sets up the tray/menu-bar app and auto-updates itself silently from then on.
Add a site
Create a fresh Laravel or Node app, clone from Git, link an existing folder — or bulk-import everything from Laragon.
Open app.test
Your services start, HTTPS is trusted automatically, and your site is live on a clean .test domain. Start coding.
Built for the stack developers actually run
A best-effort snapshot against other local stacks. Each tool has a different focus; EnvKit optimizes for one polished local workflow.
| Feature | EnvKitRecommended | Laravel Herd | Laragon | AppServ | XAMPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows, macOS | macOS, Windows | Windows | Windows | Win / macOS / Linux |
| Price / license | Free | Free + $99/yr Pro | Paid; free non-commercial with popup | Free | Free |
| Web server | nginx + Apache | nginx | Apache + nginx | Apache | Apache |
| Multiple PHP versions | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Per-site PHP isolation | Yes | Yes | Partial | No | No |
| Auto .test domains | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Trusted local HTTPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | manualPartial — manual |
| MySQL / MariaDB | Yes | $ ProPaid tier | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PostgreSQL | Yes | $ ProPaid tier | Yes | No | No |
| Redis | Yes | $ ProPaid tier | Partial | No | No |
| MongoDB | Yes | $ ProPaid tier | Partial | No | No |
| DB web admin UIs (Postgres/Mongo) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Mail catcher (Mailpit) | Yes | $ ProPaid tier | No | No | MercuryPartial — Mercury |
| Node.js | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Next / React / Angular / Node / Vite / Express sites | Yes | Partial | Partial | No | No |
| Laravel Reverb (WebSockets) | Yes | $ ProPaid tier | No | No | No |
I have used various similar tools over the years. EnvKit has represented a leap forward in both productivity and user experience. The team of developers behind it demonstrates a passion for development. The care put into the details makes it my primary development tool.
One of the best local development tools I've tried!
I've recently started using EnvKit, and so far, I'm really impressed! The setup was easy, and everything has been working smoothly on my local machine.
As a developer, I work with different web technologies, and having a tool that makes local development simple and convenient is a big plus. I especially like the overall experience and how easy it is to get started without spending too much time on configuration.
I'm still exploring all its features, so I can't comment on everything just yet, but my experience so far has been excellent.
Great work by the team behind EnvKit! Looking forward to using it more and seeing how it develops.
This app is the best. Fast and Lightweight, Best Experience so far
I recently migrated from XAMPP to EnvKit, and overall, it has been a great experience. EnvKit offers a cleaner, more modern, and convenient environment for local development, especially when working with PHP and Laravel projects.
The setup and management process feels much simpler compared to XAMPP, making everyday development more efficient. Although I encountered a few minor configuration issues during the transition, the overall experience has been positive.
I really appreciate the effort behind EnvKit and look forward to seeing more improvements and features in future updates. Keep up the great work!
Envkit provides the best Environment setup experience, I have been using laragon before, but after using envkit there is no going back
very well maid software for laravel dev
From XAMPP to WAMP to EnvKit
I’ve used XAMPP and WAMP for years, and now I’ve switched to EnvKit. Honestly, it’s exactly what I was looking for. It makes setting up and managing my local development projects much easier and saves me a lot of hassle.
Great job, EnvKit Team! Keep it up!
Download the full stack, free
Every EnvKit feature ships in the installer — for Windows and macOS. No account, no card, no paywall.
EnvKit for Windows
One installer bundles nginx or Apache, PHP, databases, queues, Node and trusted .test HTTPS — ready in minutes.
irm https://envkit.net/install.ps1 | iexEnvKit is free to download from GitHub — no signup, no card, no paywalls.
Read before install
Questions, answered without the sales fog.
The short version: EnvKit is free, cross-platform, GitHub-distributed, and built to replace the messy pile of local stack tools you already maintain.
costIs EnvKit free?
Yes — completely. EnvKit is free to download from GitHub with no signup, no card and no paywalls. Every feature is included in the free release.
releaseWhere do I download EnvKit?
Grab the latest installer for Windows or macOS from our GitHub releases page. Each release includes the installers plus release notes. EnvKit also checks for updates in-app once installed.
platformsWhich platforms are supported?
Windows 10/11 and macOS on Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) today. EnvKit runs from the tray/menu bar and keeps your bundled tools on PATH. More platforms are on the roadmap.
migrationCan it replace Laragon or XAMPP?
Yes. On first run EnvKit can bulk-import your existing Laragon projects and enabled PHP extensions, so you can switch without rebuilding everything.
httpsHow do .test domains and HTTPS work?
EnvKit creates a locally-trusted certificate authority and issues certs for your *.test hosts, so https://app.test just works — no browser warnings, fully offline.
stackCan I run Node and PHP side by side?
Absolutely. Run a Laravel API and a Next.js front-end at the same time; each gets its own .test host with hot-reload over WebSockets.
updatesHow do updates work?
EnvKit checks for new releases on GitHub and installs them silently in place — you can also check manually in Settings.
Stop stitching localhost together.
EnvKit gives developers one control room for web servers, databases, runtimes, mail, and trusted .test HTTPS. Download it, run it, keep building.
envkit stack
Running locally
trusted .test HTTPS
switchable versions
ready for imports
local inbox