Local WordPress Development with LocalWP: Complete Setup Guide 2026

What is LocalWP and Why Do You Need It?

LocalWP (formerly Local by Flywheel) is a free tool that lets you create WordPress websites on your own computer. Think of it as having your own private hosting environment on your laptop. It enables WordPress developers and site builders to work freely without risking their live, production websites or requiring constant internet connectivity.

LocalWP makes WordPress development safer and easier because you can build new themes, install new plugins, test changes, and experiment with WordPress features without worrying about breaking a live site. It's the ideal development setup for both WordPress beginners and experienced developers who need a risk-free testing environment.

Unlike paid hosting services or the complexity of manual server setup, LocalWP manages Docker, PHP, MySQL, and nginx behind the scenes so you can focus on WordPress development. Plus, you can safely import your live site into LocalWP for testing and refinement before pushing changes back to production.

Download and Install LocalWP

Installing LocalWP is straightforward and quick. Unlike manual server setup which can be complex, LocalWP handles all the technical backend — Docker containers, database configuration, web server setup — automatically for you.

Installation on Windows

First, download LocalWP from localwp.com and select the correct Windows version (Intel/AMD or Windows on Arm if applicable). Then follow these steps:

1. Run the installer file you downloaded
2. Installation typically takes 5-10 minutes while it downloads Docker Desktop and other components
3. Launch LocalWP when installation completes
4. Ensure Docker Desktop is running in the background — LocalWP will guide you if it needs installation

Installation on Mac

The process is similar on macOS. Download LocalWP for Mac (Intel or Apple Silicon), then drag the file into your Applications folder.

• On first launch, you may see permission requests for microphone and camera access — you can safely deny these for WordPress use
• Allow Docker Desktop to install, which may take 5-10 minutes
• LocalWP is ready when you see the 'My Sites' page with a plus button (+) to create new sites

Create a New WordPress Site in LocalWP

After installing LocalWP, creating a new WordPress site is easy. You don't need to manually set up databases or server configurations — LocalWP handles everything for you.

Step-by-Step Creation

1. In the 'My Sites' view, click the green + button (Create a new site)
2. Enter a site name, like "My Local Shop" (this is just for local reference, not the live domain)
3. Choose your preferred WordPress version (usually "Latest" is best)
4. Set a WordPress username and password (this becomes your local admin user)
5. Choose your PHP version (7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, etc.) — typically 8.1 or newer is recommended
6. Click 'Create Site' and wait 2-3 minutes
7. Once complete, you'll see the site listed with an 'Open site' blue link you can click to view it

Select the Right PHP Version

Choosing the correct PHP version is crucial for testing compatibility before deploying to your live server. If your hosting uses PHP 8.0, you should develop with PHP 8.0 in LocalWP to catch any version-specific issues early.

PHP Version Selection Strategy

• If your live hosting uses PHP 8.1, choose PHP 8.1 in LocalWP to match your environment as closely as possible
• If your hosting still uses PHP 7.4 (older but still common), use PHP 7.4 in LocalWP for complete parity
• If you're unsure, check your hosting control panel (DirectAdmin) under 'PHP Information' or 'Select PHP Version'
• For legacy sites using old plugins, you might need PHP 7.4 initially, then upgrade after updating plugins and themes

SSL (HTTPS) for Localhost

LocalWP automatically creates a self-signed SSL certificate for localhost, allowing you to test your site with HTTPS even in your local environment. This matters because many modern browsers and JavaScript features require HTTPS, including Service Workers and Geolocation.

Accessing SSL Sites

LocalWP lets you toggle between HTTP and HTTPS freely. Clicking 'Open site' typically uses HTTP. For HTTPS, access the site's menu (...) and select 'Open Site in Browser with SSL'. Some browsers may show certificate warnings for self-signed certs — you can safely ignore these for local testing.

Import an Existing Website from Live

If you want to import an existing WordPress site from your live server into LocalWP for testing or enhancement, you can do this easily using migration plugins like All-in-One WP Migration, Updraft Plus, or Duplicator.

Import Steps

1. On your live WordPress site, install All-in-One WP Migration plugin
2. Go to 'All-in-One WP Migration' > 'Export' > 'Export to File' and wait for the download to complete
3. In LocalWP, create a new WordPress site (or use an existing one)
4. Install the same All-in-One WP Migration plugin on your local site
5. Go to 'All-in-One WP Migration' > 'Import' > 'Import from File' and upload the export file
6. Once import finishes, log in with your original WordPress credentials

Deploy Your Local Site to Live Server

When you've finished testing and improving your local site, it's time to push it to your live hosting. The process mirrors the import workflow but in reverse.

Pushing to Live

1. In LocalWP, install All-in-One WP Migration
2. Go to 'Export' > 'Export to File' and download the export
3. On your live server, install All-in-One WP Migration
4. Go to 'Import' > 'Import from File' and upload the LocalWP export
5. Test your live site thoroughly — check all links, database functionality, file uploads
6. Update DNS records if you've changed hosting, then you're done

LocalWP Vault: Store Credentials Securely

LocalWP Vault stores usernames, passwords, SSH keys, and other sensitive information you need for your local or production sites. This keeps credentials secure instead of scattering them across text files or password managers.

Managing Credentials

• Click 'Vault' in LocalWP's sidebar
• Add your database password, WordPress admin password, SSH keys for live servers
• LocalWP locks this data and only reveals it when you click 'Reveal'
• When exporting/importing sites, LocalWP confirms you want to share credentials

LocalWP Live Link: Share Your Local Site

Live Link creates a temporary public URL for your local site, letting you share it with colleagues or clients for feedback. They don't need LocalWP installed — they just visit the URL in any browser.

Using Live Link

1. In LocalWP, select the site you want to share
2. Click 'Live Link' to generate a temporary public URL (like https://xxx.local.dev)
3. Share this URL — anyone can view your site from anywhere
4. Live Links expire after 24 hours; create a new one if you need to share again

Xdebug for Advanced Debugging

Xdebug is a powerful tool for PHP developers who need deep debugging capabilities. It lets you step through code, inspect variable values, set breakpoints, and identify complex issues in custom plugins or themes.

Enable Xdebug

• In LocalWP, open your site's settings
• Look for 'Xdebug' under Advanced
• Select your IDE (PHPStorm, VS Code, etc.)
• LocalWP shows you the configuration to add to your IDE
• After setting up your IDE extension, you can debug WordPress code directly

Database Management in LocalWP

LocalWP includes a database viewer similar to phpMyAdmin, letting you view tables, run SQL queries, and edit data directly.

Accessing Your Database

1. In LocalWP, go to your site's settings
2. Click the 'Database' tab
3. Select 'View in adminer' (or phpMyAdmin interface)
4. Add columns, manage WordPress users and posts, delete spam comments, etc.

LocalWP vs Live Hosting: Comparison Table

There are multiple ways to develop WordPress sites. Each option has pros and cons. Here's how LocalWP compares to alternatives.

In summary, LocalWP is the best choice for most WordPress developers — free, easy, supports multiple PHP versions, includes Xdebug and database management. Use live hosting for final testing before going public, and use a VPS development environment when you need production-like conditions.