Install with the Drupal CMS launcher¶
The Drupal CMS Launcher is a standalone desktop application that allows you to run Drupal locally without additional software. This approach is ideal for evaluators of Drupal CMS or anyone who wants an extended amount of time to try out and explore Drupal CMS.
If you’re planning to set up and configure a site that you will move to a hosting provider, you should install Drupal CMS locally with DDEV instead. The Drupal CMS desktop launcher is currently a trial tool, because it uses a SQLite database, which is not compatible with most hosting providers. The DDEV installation process creates a MariaDB/MySQL database, making it straightforward to move your site to a hosting provider.
Try Drupal CMS on your computer¶
Step 1: Download the launcher application¶
- Visit the Drupal CMS Launcher download page.
- Fill out the form.
- On the next page, locate the appropriate file for your operating system and click the link to download the file to your computer.
- On Mac: Unzip the download, and drag the application into the Applications folder.
- On Windows: Double click the download.
Step 2: Launch Drupal CMS¶
- Double-click the app to start. The first time you run the application, it may take a few minutes as it performs the necessary setup. The next time you open the launcher will be faster.
- Click the “Visit site” button to open Drupal CMS in your browser.
- Follow the steps at Set up Drupal CMS.
Start over (reset) your local Drupal CMS site¶
To reset your local Drupal CMS site and start over from scratch, click on the trash icon. This will delete the installed database and you will be able to set it up again from scratch.
Uninstalling the launcher application¶
To uninstall:
- Click on the trash icon to delete the database.
- Remove the Drupal CMS Launcher from your Applications folder.
FAQs¶
Where are my site files?
- To access the site files, click the folder icon in the launcher app.
Is this suitable for production?
No. The launcher is strictly for local development and testing.
Can I add modules, themes, and recipes?