Want to build and test a WordPress site right on your computer? Setting up a local WordPress environment with XAMPP is ideal for experimenting with themes, plugins, and custom development without affecting a live site. As seasoned WordPress developers, we've guided countless users through this process. Follow our proven steps to get started on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Local WordPress installations are a staple for developers and site owners. They let you test features offline, away from public internet servers.
Visible only on your machine, a local site is perfect for previewing themes and plugins, honing your WordPress skills, or safely staging updates.
If you run a live WordPress site, clone it locally to trial plugin updates before going live.
Key Note: Local sites stay private on your computer. For a public site, secure a domain and hosting—check our step-by-step WordPress blog setup guide when ready.
Now, let's install WordPress locally with XAMPP.
XAMPP bundles Apache (web server), PHP (scripting language), and MySQL (database)—everything WordPress needs—into one easy installer.
Installing these separately can overwhelm beginners, but XAMPP simplifies it across Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Time to install.
Head to the official XAMPP site and download the version for your OS.
Screens may vary by OS; we'll use Windows examples here.
Run the downloaded installer.
Accept defaults and proceed through the wizard. At the end, select 'Launch Control Panel' and click Finish.
In the XAMPP Control Panel, start Apache and MySQL.
Approve any firewall prompts for both services. When running, they'll turn green.
XAMPP is ready. Now, install WordPress.
Download the latest WordPress from WordPress.org.
Extract the ZIP; copy the wordpress folder.
Paste it into XAMPP's htdocs folder:
Windows: C:\xampp\htdocs (or C:\Program Files\XAMPP\htdocs)
Mac: /Applications/XAMPP/htdocs
Rename to website1 for easy access.
Open your browser to https://localhost/website1. You'll see the WordPress setup screen.
Create a database: Open https://localhost/phpmyadmin, click 'Databases', name it (e.g., 'wordpress'), and create.
Back at setup, enter: Database name (your new one), Username: root, Password: blank, Host: localhost.
Submit. On Mac, manually create wp-config.php in website1 with the provided code.
Next, set site title, admin username, password, and email.
Click 'Install WordPress'.
Log in at https://localhost/website1/wp-admin.
Treat your local site like a live one: Customize via Appearance (try our recommended free themes) or add plugins for forms, galleries, and more.
Learn how to install WordPress plugins.
Ready to go live? Follow our guide to migrate from localhost.
For alternatives, try WampServer (Windows) or MAMP (Mac).
We hope this empowers your WordPress journey. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more tutorials.
