Introduction

Localix is a simple local server manager for Windows. It bundles Apache, PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and Composer into a single desktop app so you can run local web projects without installing or configuring anything manually.

What's included

• Apache 2.4: Web server (default port 80)
• PHP 8.4: PHP runtime
• MySQL 8.x: Database server (default port 3306)
• phpMyAdmin: Web-based database manager
• Composer: PHP dependency manager

Installation

Two release formats are available:

Steps

1. Go to GitHub Releases.
2. Download localix.setup.exe or the portable build.
3. (Optional) Verify the download using SHA256SUMS.txt.
4. Run the installer or launch the portable executable.

First Run

After launching Localix:

1. The dashboard opens. Apache and MySQL are stopped by default.
2. Click Start All to start both services.
3. Open your browser and go to http://localhost.
4. The Localix landing page confirms the stack is running.
5. Access phpMyAdmin at http://localhost/phpmyadmin.

Directory Structure

After installation, Localix creates the following structure:

localix/
├── localix.exe        # Main app
├── www/               # ← Put your projects here
│   └── phpmyadmin/    # Reserved (do not delete)
├── runtime/
│   ├── apache/        # Apache binaries
│   ├── php/           # PHP runtime
│   └── mysql/         # MySQL binaries
├── config/
│   ├── httpd.conf     # Apache config
│   ├── php.ini        # PHP config
│   ├── my.ini         # MySQL config
│   └── vhosts.conf    # Generated vhost config
├── data/
│   └── mysql/         # MySQL data directory
└── logs/
    ├── apache/        # Apache logs
    └── mysql/         # MySQL logs

Apache Configuration

Apache configuration is loaded from config/httpd.conf. You can edit this file to customize modules, mime types, or directory restrictions.

Use the Edit Config button in the Localix dashboard to open this file in your default text editor instantly.

PHP Configuration

PHP runs as an Apache module. Its configuration is dictated by config/php.ini.

You can configure memory limits, max file upload sizes, and extensions here. Restart Apache from the Localix dashboard to apply changes.

Common extensions enabled by default:

• pdo_mysql, mysqli for database access
• openssl, curl for secure connections
• gd, mbstring, xml, zip for web frameworks

MySQL Configuration

MySQL is configured via config/my.ini. The primary database data is stored under data/mysql/.

The default port is 3306. You can change this in the config file if another local database server is already using this port.

App Settings

The Localix settings panel lets you adjust application behavior:

• Run on startup: Launch Localix automatically when Windows starts up.
• Start minimized: Open Localix directly in the system tray without showing the main window.
• Default Ports: Quickly modify default ports for Apache (e.g. 8080) and MySQL via the UI.

Projects

Any folder inside www/ is treated as a project. Localix scans this directory while running and lists detected projects in the Projects tab.

www/my-project    →  http://localhost/my-project/
www/portfolio     →  http://localhost/portfolio/
www/my-laravel    →  http://localhost/my-laravel/  (routes to public/)

Virtual Hosts

Virtual Hosts let you use clean local domains instead of subdirectory URLs.

Enabling Virtual Hosts

1. Open Settings in Localix.
2. Enable Virtual Hosts.
3. Set your preferred domain suffix (default: .locx).
4. Click Generate Vhosts. Localix writes vhosts.conf.
5. Restart Apache.

Hosts File

Add entries to your Windows hosts file so Windows resolves the local domains:

127.0.0.1  my-project.locx
127.0.0.1  portfolio.locx

Laravel Setup

Localix includes Composer so you can create Laravel projects without any prior setup.

Create a New Laravel Project

1. Go to the Laravel tab in Localix.
2. Enter a project name.
3. Click Create Laravel Project.
4. Localix runs composer create-project laravel/laravel in www/.
5. The project appears in the Projects tab when done.

Artisan via Terminal

Use any terminal. Localix doesn't lock you out. Run Artisan commands from your project directory normally:

cd C:\path\to\localix\www\my-laravel-app
php artisan migrate
php artisan serve

phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is pre-installed. You can access it by clicking the phpMyAdmin button on the dashboard or visiting http://localhost/phpmyadmin.

By default, you are automatically logged in as root with no password. You can manage databases, SQL structures, and users visually.

Port Conflicts

If Apache fails to start, port 80 is likely in use by another app (IIS, Skype, XAMPP, etc.).

Option A: Run as Administrator

Right-click localix.exe → Run as administrator. This can resolve binding issues on port 80.

Option B: Change the Apache Port

1. Open Settings in Localix.
2. Change the Apache port to an available one (e.g., 8080).
3. Restart Apache.
4. Access your server at http://localhost:8080.

Find what's using port 80

netstat -ano | findstr :80

SmartScreen Warning

Windows SmartScreen may display an "Unknown Publisher" warning when running the installer because Localix is currently unsigned.

How to proceed

1. Verify the installer using SHA256SUMS.txt from the Releases page.
2. In the SmartScreen dialog, click More info.
3. Click Run anyway.

FAQ