How to Run a Laravel Project: Step-by-Step Guide

To run a Laravel project, first install dependencies with composer install, then start the development server using php artisan serve. This command launches a local server accessible at http://localhost:8000 where you can see your Laravel app running.

Syntax

Here is the basic syntax to run a Laravel project locally:

• composer install: Installs all PHP dependencies required by the project.
• php artisan serve: Starts Laravel's built-in development server.
• http://localhost:8000: Default URL to access the running Laravel app.

bash

composer install
php artisan serve

Output

Starting Laravel development server: http://127.0.0.1:8000
[OK] Server running.

Example

This example shows how to run a Laravel project after cloning it from a repository:

1. Open your terminal and navigate to the project folder.
2. Run composer install to install dependencies.
3. Run php artisan serve to start the server.
4. Open http://localhost:8000 in your browser to see the app.

bash

cd your-laravel-project
composer install
php artisan serve

Output

Loading composer repositories with package information
Installing dependencies (including require-dev) from lock file
...
Starting Laravel development server: http://127.0.0.1:8000
[OK] Server running.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when running a Laravel project include:

• Not running composer install first, causing missing dependencies errors.
• Trying to run php artisan serve outside the project directory.
• Not setting correct permissions for storage and bootstrap/cache folders, leading to runtime errors.
• Forgetting to set up the .env file or database connection before running the app.

bash

Wrong:
php artisan serve

Right:
composer install
php artisan serve

Quick Reference

Summary tips for running Laravel projects:

• Always run composer install after cloning or pulling updates.
• Use php artisan serve to quickly start a local server.
• Check your .env file for correct environment settings.
• Ensure folder permissions are set properly for smooth operation.

Key Takeaways

Run 'composer install' to install all project dependencies before starting the server.

Use 'php artisan serve' inside the project folder to launch the Laravel development server.

Access your app at 'http://localhost:8000' after the server starts.

Set correct permissions on storage and cache folders to avoid runtime errors.

Configure your '.env' file properly for database and environment settings.