Title: Installing a Local Server
Author: kpdesign
Published: April 3, 2013
Last modified: January 30, 2025

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# Installing a Local Server

## In this article

 * [Why do I need a local server?](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/tutorials/installing-a-local-server/?output_format=md#why-do-i-need-a-local-server)
 * [What does AMP stand for?](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/tutorials/installing-a-local-server/?output_format=md#what-does-amp-stand-for)
 * [Which local server should I install?](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/tutorials/installing-a-local-server/?output_format=md#which-local-server-should-i-install)

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This section of the handbook contains tutorials that will walk you through the process
of installing one of the four local server programs listed below.

## 󠀁[Why do I need a local server?](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/tutorials/installing-a-local-server/?output_format=md#why-do-i-need-a-local-server)󠁿

A local server provides the same environment as your web host’s server, allows you
to install/run WordPress trunktrunk A directory in Subversion containing the latest
development code in preparation for the next major release cycle. If you are running“
trunk”, then you are on the latest revision. on your computer, and is an essential
tool in contributing to the development of WordPress coreCore Core is the set of
software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress..

## 󠀁[What does AMP stand for?](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/tutorials/installing-a-local-server/?output_format=md#what-does-amp-stand-for)󠁿

Some local server programs have **AMP** in their name, which stands for **A**pache,**
M**ySQL (or **M**ariaDB), and **P**HP. These are the same programs that are installed
on your webhost’s server which allow you to run your WordPress site.

## 󠀁[Which local server should I install?](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/tutorials/installing-a-local-server/?output_format=md#which-local-server-should-i-install)󠁿

Your choice of a local server program will primarily depend on which operating system
you run on your computer. There are a couple that work on multiple operating systems,
and all will give you a solid local development environment.

The [Advanced Administration handbook](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/before-install/development/#installing-wordpress-on-your-computer)
has a list of many popular options in the WordPress community.

First published

April 3, 2013

Last updated

January 30, 2025

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