> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kawax.biz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing PHP, Composer, and Node.js with WSL (Windows)

> A step-by-step guide to installing PHP, Composer, and Node.js on Windows 10/11 using WSL 2 to set up a Laravel development environment.

## Introduction

The best practice for Laravel development on Windows is to use **WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)**. It lets you use the Linux toolchain directly, so the same commands work on macOS, your local Windows machine, and production servers.

This guide walks you through installing PHP, Composer, and Node.js (via nvm) on Ubuntu inside WSL 2, all the way to a working `laravel new` setup.

<Info>
  Target environment: Windows 10 (version 2004 or later) or Windows 11, using WSL 2.
</Info>

***

## Installing WSL

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open PowerShell as Administrator">
    Search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu and select "Run as administrator".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install WSL and Ubuntu">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    wsl --install
    ```

    This command installs WSL 2 and Ubuntu (the default distribution). Restart your PC when it finishes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up Ubuntu">
    After restarting, Ubuntu will launch automatically. Set a username and password. This password will be used with the `sudo` command.

    <Warning>
      The password will not appear on screen while you type. Enter it carefully.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the package list">
    Run the following in the Ubuntu terminal:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Installing PHP

Ubuntu's default repositories may include an outdated PHP version. Use the `ondrej/php` PPA to install the latest version.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install required packages">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt install -y software-properties-common
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the ondrej/php PPA">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php
    sudo apt update
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install PHP 8.3 and the required extensions">
    Laravel 13 requires PHP 8.3 or higher.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt install -y php8.3 php8.3-cli php8.3-mbstring php8.3-xml php8.3-curl php8.3-zip php8.3-sqlite3 php8.3-mysql
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the version">
    ```bash theme={null}
    php --version
    ```

    You should see `PHP 8.3.x` or higher.
  </Step>

  <Step title="(Optional) Switch between multiple versions">
    If you need multiple PHP versions, switch between them using `update-alternatives`:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo update-alternatives --config php
    ```

    A list of installed versions will appear. Enter the number of the version you want to use.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Installing Composer

Install Composer using the official installer.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check required packages">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt install -y curl php8.3-cli unzip
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download and run the official installer">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer -o /tmp/composer-setup.php
    sudo php /tmp/composer-setup.php --install-dir=/usr/local/bin --filename=composer
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the version">
    ```bash theme={null}
    composer --version
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the global install path">
    To use packages installed with `composer global require` (such as the Laravel installer), add `~/.composer/vendor/bin` to your `PATH`.

    Add the following to `~/.bashrc` (or `~/.zshrc`):

    ```bash theme={null}
    export PATH="$HOME/.composer/vendor/bin:$PATH"
    ```

    Apply the changes:

    ```bash theme={null}
    source ~/.bashrc
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Installing nvm

Node.js is installed per-user using nvm (Node Version Manager). No `sudo` required, which makes it a great fit alongside AI tools and CLIs that rely on global npm packages.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install nvm">
    Check the [nvm GitHub repository](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm) for the latest install script.

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.3/install.sh | bash
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the snippet to your shell config">
    The install script automatically appends the following to `~/.bashrc`. If it wasn't added, do so manually:

    ```bash theme={null}
    export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
    [ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
    [ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"
    ```

    Apply the changes:

    ```bash theme={null}
    source ~/.bashrc
    ```

    If you use zsh, add the same snippet to `~/.zshrc` and run `source ~/.zshrc`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the installation">
    ```bash theme={null}
    nvm --version
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Installing Node.js

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the LTS version">
    ```bash theme={null}
    nvm install --lts
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set it as the default">
    Set the default version so it's used automatically in new terminal sessions:

    ```bash theme={null}
    nvm alias default node
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the versions">
    ```bash theme={null}
    node --version
    npm --version
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Verifying the Laravel Installation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the Laravel installer">
    ```bash theme={null}
    composer global require laravel/installer
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a new project">
    ```bash theme={null}
    laravel new my-app
    ```

    An interactive setup will begin where you can choose a starter kit, authentication options, and more.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the development server">
    ```bash theme={null}
    cd my-app
    php artisan serve
    ```

    Open `http://localhost:8000` in your browser. If you see the Laravel welcome page, you're all set.

    <Tip>
      If you can't access `localhost` from the Windows browser via WSL, try starting the server with `php artisan serve --host=0.0.0.0`.
    </Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Bonus: Tools to Boost Productivity

### Windows Terminal

Windows Terminal lets you manage WSL, PowerShell, and Command Prompt in multiple tabs from one place. Install it for free from the Microsoft Store.

* Run multiple shells in parallel using tabs
* Set Ubuntu as the default shell
* Freely customize fonts and color schemes

### VS Code Remote - WSL Extension

The [Remote - WSL](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode-remote.remote-wsl) extension for VS Code lets you edit files inside WSL directly from the Windows VS Code interface.

```bash theme={null}
# Open your project in VS Code from the WSL terminal
code .
```

On first run, the VS Code server is automatically installed inside WSL. After that, you can develop with the same feel as a native environment.