# Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Laravel with Laragon

- URL: https://www.codethepixel.com/step-by-step-guide-setting-up-laravel-with-laragon
- Author: Asyraf Wahi Anuar (https://www.codethepixel.com/author/asyraf-wahi-anuar)
- Published: 2026-10-17
- Category: Laravel
- Level: Beginner
- Tested with: Laravel, PHP
- Tags: PHP, Laragon, Laravel, Composer
- Reading time: 3 min

## Key takeaways

- All-in-One Setup: Download and install Laragon Full, which comes with PHP, MySQL, and Composer pre-installed, eliminating the need for manual configurations.
- Built-in Terminal: Open Laragon's integrated terminal and navigate to your web root folder, typically C:\laragon\www
- Quick Installation: Run the command composer create-project laravel/laravel your-project-name to download and install the Laravel framework.
- Auto-Generated URLs: Start the Laragon web server and instantly access your new application in the browser using a clean local URL like [http://your-project-name.test](http://your-project-name.test).

Laragon is highly recommended for beginners because it automatically handles server configuration, creates local `.test` domains for your projects, and comes with Composer pre-installed.

## Step 1: Download and Install Laragon

1. Go to the official \[Laragon download page\]([https://laragon.org/download/](https://laragon.org/download/)).

2. Download **Laragon Full**. This version is recommended because it comes with everything you need out of the box (PHP, Apache/Nginx, MySQL, Node.js, and Composer).

3. Run the installer. You can leave all the default settings checked during the installation process (especially the option to auto-create virtual hosts).

4. Once installed, open Laragon and click the **Start All** button to boot up your local server and database.

## Step 2: Open Laragon's Built-in Terminal

Since Laragon already includes Composer, you do not need to install it separately on your computer.

1. On the Laragon dashboard, click the **Terminal** button.

2. This will open a command-line interface that is automatically configured to use Laragon's internal PHP and Composer versions.

## Step 3: Navigate to the Web Root Directory

By default, the terminal might open in the Laragon installation folder. You need to move to the `www` folder, which is where all your projects will live.

Type the following command and press **Enter**:

```
cd C:\laragon\www
```

*(If you installed Laragon on a different drive, adjust the path accordingly).*

## Step 4: Install Laravel via Composer

Now, you will use Composer to fetch Laravel and set up a new project. Run the following command:

```
composer create-project laravel/laravel my-project
```

`composer create-project`: Tells Composer to build a new project from an existing package.

`laravel/laravel`: The official package name for the Laravel framework.

`my-project`: The name of the folder you want to create for your app. You can change this to anything you like (e.g., `blog`, `store`, `portfolio`).

Composer will now download Laravel and all its required dependencies. This process may take a minute or two.

## Step 5: View Your Application in the Browser

One of Laragon's best features is its auto-virtual host generator. Whenever you create a new folder inside `C:\laragon\www`, Laragon automatically generates a clean local URL for it in the format `[http://folder-name.test](http://folder-name.test)`.

1. Once the Composer installation finishes, look at the Laragon dashboard. It may prompt you to allow it to make changes to your hosts file (click **Yes**).

2. Open your web browser.

3. Type in `[http://my-project.test](http://my-project.test)` (matching whatever name you gave your project folder).

You should now see the official Laravel welcome screen. Your development environment is ready to go!