How to Install a Laravel Project Cloned from GitHub: Step-by-Step Guide

Installing a Laravel project cloned from GitHub is a common workflow for developers working on collaborative or open-source applications. Whether you're contributing to a team project or launching a pre-built Laravel application, this guide walks you through the entire setup process smoothly.

Below are the 8 essential steps to install a Laravel project cloned from GitHub and get it running on your local environment.

Step 1: Clone the Laravel Project from GitHub

Start by opening your terminal or command line interface, then run:

This command clones the repository and moves you into the project folder.

Step 2: Install PHP Dependencies Using Composer

Laravel uses Composer to manage its dependencies. Make sure Composer is installed on your system. Then run:

🔗 Get Composer here

Step 3: Copy the Example Environment File

Laravel requires a .env file for configuration. Create it from the example:

Step 4: Generate the Application Key

Generate the APP_KEY required for encryption:

This key will be added automatically to your .env file.

Step 5: Configure the Database Connection

Edit your .env file and configure your database settings:

💡 Be sure to create the laravel_db database in your local MySQL or PostgreSQL before running migrations.

Step 6: Run Migrations and Seeders

To create the necessary database tables:

Step 7: Install Node Modules and Compile Assets (Optional)

If the project includes frontend assets or uses Laravel Mix:

Or for production-ready assets:

Step 8: Serve the Application Locally

To launch a development server:

Visit http://127.0.0.1:8000 in your browser to view the Laravel project.