> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://herd.laravel.com/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Applications # Applications Herd uses the concept of *parked* paths and *linked* directories for serving applications. You can access every application in a parked path via `http://.test`. By default, Herd will automatically park the `%USERPROFILE%\Herd` directory for you. Any PHP application in this directory is automatically available via its `.test` domain. If you have other locations for your projects, you can add them as parked paths in the general settings or link individual projects as a linked directory.

Aside from Laravel, Herd [supports many frameworks](/docs/windows/extending-herd/supported-frameworks) and applications out-of-the-box. If your framework is not in the list, you can create a [custom driver](/docs/windows/extending-herd/custom-drivers) to run it with Herd. ## Creating your first application The fastest way to manage your applications and to create new ones is the command line. #### Command Prompt (CMD) ``` cd %USERPROFILE%\Herd laravel new my-project cd my-project herd open herd edit ``` #### Powershell ``` Set-Location -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\Herd" laravel new my-project cd my-project herd open herd edit ``` These commands go into your Herd directory, create a brand-new Laravel application and open it in your browser. The `herd edit` command even opens your favorite IDE if you've set up [the protocols](/docs/windows/sites/managing-sites#open-in-ide). ## Linking an existing application You can link an existing application with a specific domain via the `link` command from any directory on your machine. The `link` command uses the directory name as domain name if you don't set additional parameters. #### Command Prompt (CMD) ``` cd %USERPROFILE%\Herd\your-project herd link herd link custom-domain ``` #### Powershell ``` Set-Location -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\Herd\your-project" herd link herd link custom-domain ``` These commands create Herd configurations, add the domains to your hosts file, and you can now access the application via `your-project.test` and `custom-domain.test`. This is useful if you want to use an application from multiple domains, for example in multi-tenancy environments or if you store all your projects across multiple directories. ## Via the GUI If you prefer creating and linking applications via a graphical user interface, use the composer at the top of the [Applications window](/docs/windows/sites/managing-sites). Select "New Application" from the menu of the Herd system tray icon, click "New" in the toolbar of the Applications window or press `Ctrl+N` there – all of them take you to the composer. Enter a name for your application. Herd shows whether the `.test` domain for this name is still available. Then select a starter kit – No Starter Kit, React, Vue, Svelte or Livewire – and click "Create App" or press `Ctrl+Enter`. Herd creates a fresh Laravel application with this starter kit in your Herd directory. You don't need AI for this: as long as the prompt field stays empty, Herd only runs the Laravel installer. Creating a new Laravel application in the Applications window

Creating a new Laravel application in the Applications window

Options of the Laravel installer in the Applications window

To use a community starter kit, select "Custom…" in the starter kit menu and enter its Composer package in the options, for example `vendor/package-name`. If you describe your application in the prompt field, the button changes to "Build" and a coding agent [builds the application for you](/docs/windows/herd-studio/build-with-ai). Click "Link Existing App" to add an existing project from any directory on your machine to Herd. ## Unlinking an existing application You may remove a previously created link, by using the `unlink` command from any directory on your machine. The `unlink` command uses the directory name as domain name if you don't set additional parameters. #### Command Prompt (CMD) ``` cd %USERPROFILE%\Herd\your-project herd unlink herd unlink custom-domain ``` #### Powershell ``` Set-Location -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\Herd\your-project" herd unlink herd unlink custom-domain ``` These commands remove any previously created links to your application. ## Integrations Herd allows linking your local applications with first-party Laravel cloud services and makes triggering common tasks like deployments super easy. Herd supports deploying applications to [Laravel Cloud](/docs/windows/integrations/laravel-cloud) and connecting them to sites on Laravel Forge with the [Forge integration](/docs/windows/integrations/laravel-forge).