How to Install Codeigniter on a Local Server in May 2025?

CodeIgniter continues to be one of the most popular PHP frameworks, known for its speed and simplicity. Installing CodeIgniter on a local server is an essential step for developers to test and build applications efficiently. This guide will help you install CodeIgniter on your local machine in 2025.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install CodeIgniter

1. Set Up Your Local Server

Before installing CodeIgniter, ensure that you have a local server environment set up. You can use solutions like XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP. These provide the necessary components: Apache server, MySQL database, and PHP.

2. Download CodeIgniter

Visit the official CodeIgniter website to download the latest version of CodeIgniter. As of 2025, ensure you are downloading the recommended stable release for optimal performance and security.

3. Extract and Configure

After downloading the CodeIgniter .zip file, extract it to the htdocs directory in XAMPP, www in WAMP, or the equivalent directory in your local server setup.
Rename the extracted folder to something more meaningful, such as myproject for easier access.

4. Configure Base URL

Navigate to the application/config/config.php file in your project. Look for the $config['base_url'] setting and set it to match your local server URL:

1	$config['base_url'] = 'http://localhost/myproject/';

5. Adjust Database Settings

Configure your database settings in application/config/database.php. Set the hostname, username, password, and database name according to your local setup:

$db['default'] = array(
    'dsn'   => '',
    'hostname' => 'localhost',
    'username' => 'root',
    'password' => '',
    'database' => 'mydatabase',
    'dbdriver' => 'mysqli',
    'dbprefix' => '',
    'pconnect' => FALSE,
    'db_debug' => (ENVIRONMENT !== 'production'),
    'cache_on' => FALSE,
    'cachedir' => '',
    'char_set' => 'utf8',
    'dbcollat' => 'utf8_general_ci',
    'swap_pre' => '',
    'encrypt' => FALSE,
    'compress' => FALSE,
    'stricton' => FALSE,
    'failover' => array(),
    'save_queries' => TRUE
);

6. Test Your Setup

Open your web browser and go to http://localhost/myproject/. If everything is set up correctly, you should see the default CodeIgniter welcome page.

Enhancing Your CodeIgniter Setup

To optimize your CodeIgniter site for better performance and SEO, consider reading about CodeIgniter site SEO optimization.

Additional Resources

Learn how to send emails using Gmail SMTP in CodeIgniter by visiting this guide.
Troubleshoot SOLR disconnection issues in CodeIgniter by checking out this article on handling Solr disconnection and another relevant resource.
Explore more about emailing configurations in CodeIgniter by exploring CodeIgniter email setup.

By following these steps, you can efficiently set up CodeIgniter on your local server, enabling you to build robust PHP applications. Stay updated with the latest features and enhancements in CodeIgniter to ensure your development process is seamless and optimized.

How to Install Codeigniter on a Local Server in 2025?