> ## 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.

# Migrating from XAMPP

# How to migrate from XAMPP to Herd

If you're coming from XAMPP and want to switch to Herd, this guide will help you migrate your development environment smoothly. Herd provides a more streamlined development experience with automatic domain handling, multiple PHP versions, and integrated debugging tools.

## Main Differences

Before diving into the migration process, here are the key differences between XAMPP and Herd:

* Herd is optimized for Laravel development (and support all major frameworks)
* Herd uses `.test` domains instead of localhost URLs (e.g., `mysite.test` instead of `localhost/mysite`)
* Herd provides automatic domain handling via the HerdHelper service instead of manual virtual hosts
* Herd manages PHP versions per site, allowing you to run different versions simultaneously
* Herd provides built-in debugging tools and service management with [Herd Pro](https://herd.laravel.com/checkout)

## Migration Steps

### 1. Install Herd

First, download and install Herd from the [official website](https://herd.laravel.com/download/windows). During installation, Herd will:

* Install the HerdHelper service for domain management
* Set up PHP, nginx, and other required tools
* Create a parked directory at `%USERPROFILE%\Herd`

### 2. Migrate Your Sites

<Steps>
  <Step title="Move your site files">
    Move your site files from the XAMPP `htdocs` directory to your new Herd directory:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    # Create directories if they don't exist
    mkdir %USERPROFILE%\Herd

    # Copy your sites
    xcopy C:\xampp\htdocs\your-site %USERPROFILE%\Herd\your-site\ /E /H /C /I
    ```

    Replace `your-site` with the actual name of your project directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure domains">
    Herd automatically makes sites available via `http://directory-name.test`. For example, if your site is in `%USERPROFILE%\Herd\my-wordpress`, it will be available at `http://my-wordpress.test`.

    If you need additional domains or want to point multiple domains to a single site, you can use the `herd link` command:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    cd %USERPROFILE%\Herd\your-site
    herd link additional-domain
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 3. Migrate Databases

<Steps>
  <Step title="Export existing databases">
    Before shutting down XAMPP, export your databases via phpMyAdmin or the MySQL command line:

    ```sql theme={null}
    mysqldump -u root your_database > your_database.sql
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up database services">
    If you're using [Herd Pro](https://herd.laravel.com/checkout), you can install MySQL directly from the Services tab in the settings:

    <Frame>
      <img alt="MySQL Service Setup" src="https://mintcdn.com/herd/dMLnVLuqj_YG0ri0/images/docs/windows/settings_services_mysql_wizard.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=dMLnVLuqj_YG0ri0&q=85&s=92723622b62bf6d58b36b8e696a002d1" width="2744" height="1994" data-path="images/docs/windows/settings_services_mysql_wizard.png" />
    </Frame>

    Alternatively, you can install MySQL separately or use tools like [DBngin](https://dbngin.com).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import your databases">
    After setting up your database service, import your databases via the command line:

    ```sql theme={null}
    mysql -u root -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3306 your_database < your_database.sql
    ```

    Or use TablePlus/AdminerEvo which are accessible directly from Herd's service configuration:

    <Frame>
      <img alt="MySQL Service Management" src="https://mintcdn.com/herd/dMLnVLuqj_YG0ri0/images/docs/windows/settings_services_mysql.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=dMLnVLuqj_YG0ri0&q=85&s=fca4f069e2361daf84f89c1678c23871" width="2744" height="1994" data-path="images/docs/windows/settings_services_mysql.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 4. Update Configuration Files

Update your site's configuration files to match Herd's setup:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Laravel">
    ```env .env theme={null}
    DB_CONNECTION=mysql
    DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
    DB_PORT=3307  # Use your configured port
    DB_DATABASE=your_database
    DB_USERNAME=root
    DB_PASSWORD=
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="WordPress">
    ```php wp-config.php theme={null}
    define('DB_HOST', '127.0.0.1:3307');  // Use your configured port
    define('DB_NAME', 'your_database');
    define('DB_USER', 'root');
    define('DB_PASSWORD', '');
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### 5. Secure Your Sites

If your XAMPP sites used HTTPS, you can secure them in Herd using the `herd secure` command:

```powershell theme={null}
cd %USERPROFILE%\Herd\your-site
herd secure
```

You can also toggle HTTPS in the [Site Manager](/windows/advanced-usage/managing-sites):

<Frame>
  <img alt="Secure Sites" src="https://mintcdn.com/herd/dMLnVLuqj_YG0ri0/images/docs/windows/sites_secure.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=dMLnVLuqj_YG0ri0&q=85&s=20cd8a9538011b06026529059657cab8" width="2744" height="1994" data-path="images/docs/windows/sites_secure.png" />
</Frame>

### 6. PHP Configuration

While XAMPP uses a global `php.ini` file, Herd allows you to:

* Use different PHP versions per site via [isolation](/windows/advanced-usage/php-versions#per-site-php-versions)
* Configure PHP settings via the GUI or by editing version-specific `php.ini` files
* Manage PHP extensions for each version independently

You can find your PHP configuration files at:

```
%USERPROFILE%\.config\herd\bin\<version>\php.ini
```

### 7. Virtual Hosts Migration

If you used virtual hosts in XAMPP, you can achieve the same with Herd's linking feature:

```powershell theme={null}
cd %USERPROFILE%\Herd\your-site
herd link your-domain
```

This automatically:

* Updates your hosts file
* Configures nginx
* Makes the site available via `http://your-domain.test`

## Development Tools

Herd Pro provides several tools that improve upon XAMPP's development experience:

* [Mail Testing](/windows/herd-pro/mail) - Built-in mail catcher for testing emails
* [Log Viewer](/windows/herd-pro/logs) - Convenient log viewing and searching
* [Dumps](/windows/herd-pro/dumps) - Advanced debugging with request information
* [Xdebug](/windows/herd-pro/xdebug) - On-demand Xdebug activation
* [Service Management](/windows/herd-pro/services) - GUI for managing databases and other services

## Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during migration:

* Check the [common issues](/windows/troubleshooting/common-issues) documentation
* Verify your [hosts file](/windows/troubleshooting/common-issues#dns-errors) is being updated
* Review the [logs](/windows/troubleshooting/common-issues#herd-debug-logs) for errors
* Ensure the [HerdHelper service](/windows/troubleshooting/common-issues#the-herdhelper-windows-service-isnt-working) is running

If you need to start fresh, you can follow the [uninstall guide](/windows/troubleshooting/uninstalling) to remove Herd completely and reinstall.

## After Migration

After successfully migrating to Herd, we recommend:

1. Uninstall XAMPP to avoid port conflicts
2. Remove old virtual host entries from your hosts file
3. Consider upgrading to [Herd Pro](https://herd.laravel.com/checkout) for additional development tools
4. Familiarize yourself with Herd's [CLI commands](/windows/advanced-usage/command-line)