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LampRabit

LampRabit 0.2: Node.js projects, YAML templates, MySQL and full Linux support

What's new in LampRabit 0.2: Node.js dev servers at .test domains, 14 framework templates, MySQL next to MariaDB, real Redis, Linux builds and a redesign.

The LampRabit team3 min read

LampRabit 0.2 release

LampRabit 0.2 is the biggest update so far. It turns LampRabit from a PHP stack into a home for all your local projects, PHP and Node.js, and makes Linux a fully supported platform. Already on 0.1? The app offers 0.2 as soon as it’s published: Settings → Updates → Install and restart.

Node.js projects, at their own domain

Vite, Next.js, Nuxt, Astro, Express and NestJS projects now live next to your PHP sites. Pick a Node version from NVM (or let .nvmrc decide) and npm, pnpm, Yarn or Bun.

The clever part: the domain follows your dev server. Start it from LampRabit or run npm run dev in your own terminal. LampRabit sees which port the project listens on and points https://project.test there within seconds, then back to the project’s files when the server stops. More in How to get rid of localhost:3000.

Project templates, now in YAML

New project runs declarative templates. New in 0.2: CakePHP, CodeIgniter 4, Drupal, Statamic and Magento (Mage-OS or Adobe’s edition), plus the Node frameworks above. Each asks the same questions its own installer does, and only the ones that apply.

Write your own templates in YAML and drop them in the templates folder. Steps from templates you add that could be risky (recursive deletes, piped downloads, sudo) are shown with the exact command and need your approval. See the template reference.

A new Sites page

Sites is rebuilt around a project list with live status. Open a project to see its Overview (framework and version, PHP or Node requirements, whether dependencies are installed, safe .env values, database and git state), run its Commands (artisan, Composer and npm scripts, Symfony console, Drush, Magento and more) with the output right there, and change its Settings.

More services

  • MySQL runs next to MariaDB on its own port, each release line with its own data. Choose which is the default database for new projects and the mysql command.
  • Real Redis on every OS. On Windows it’s the community redis-windows build (with redis-cli), replacing the Redis-compatible server 0.1 used. If you installed Redis in 0.1, reinstall it from Services.
  • Memcached is a one-click runtime everywhere.
  • phpRedisAdmin joins phpMyAdmin and Adminer.
  • Composer is a managed runtime, downloaded and verified when first needed.

Linux: fully supported

LampRabit now builds its own Apache, Nginx, PHP, Redis and Memcached for Linux (and macOS), in the open on GitHub, with checksums. On Linux you choose versions exactly as on Windows. PHP builds include redis, memcached and igbinary, plus GD with JPEG, WebP and FreeType. macOS gets the same builds as a preview.

A redesigned app

A new Home page with stack profiles (“Laravel”, “WordPress”: start just the services a project needs), quick shortcuts and a Connect your app panel with ready-to-paste URLs and .env lines. A floating tab bar, a theme toggle in the title bar, and logs that include your projects, with search and filters.

Clean uninstall

Uninstalling removes only what LampRabit created (runtimes, configs, logs, certificates, hosts entries, PATH changes) and keeps your projects and databases.

Fixes worth knowing

  • PHP started by PHP (template steps, the php command) now always loads LampRabit’s php.ini, so extensions like pdo_mysql are there.
  • MariaDB and MySQL listen on both 127.0.0.1 and ::1, so localhost connects on Windows.
  • Magento’s storefront works under Apache.

Thanks to everyone who reported issues and tried the previews. Tell us what you think on GitHub, and see the full changelog.