Installation Guide
Get started with DAMP in minutes on Windows
Get DAMP up and running on your Windows machine in just a few simple steps.
Platform Support: Currently available for Windows. macOS and Linux support coming soon!
Prerequisites
Before installing DAMP, ensure you have the following installed on your system:
1. Docker Desktop
Download Docker Desktop
Visit Docker Desktop for Windows and download the installer.
Install Docker Desktop
Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
Verify Installation
Open PowerShell and run:
docker --versionYou should see the Docker version output.
Important: Docker Desktop must be running for DAMP to work. Make sure Docker is started before launching DAMP.
2. Code Editor
DAMP works best with editors that support Dev Container development. We recommend:
Visual Studio Code
Download VS Code - the most popular choice with excellent Dev Container support.
Essential Extensions
Install these extensions for the best DAMP experience:
Dev Containers
Docker
Remote Development
Alternative Editors
Any editor with Dev Container support will work:
- JetBrains IDEs (PhpStorm, WebStorm) - Built-in Docker support
- Cursor - VS Code fork with AI features
- VSCodium - Open-source VS Code alternative
Make sure your chosen editor has Docker/Dev Container integration enabled.
Installing DAMP
Run the Installer
Double-click the installer and follow the installation wizard. DAMP will be installed to your Program Files.
Launch DAMP
Find DAMP in your Start Menu or desktop shortcut and launch the application.
Initial Setup
On first launch, DAMP will:
- ✓ Verify Docker Desktop is running
- ✓ Check system requirements
- ✓ Set up the necessary network configurations
Congratulations! DAMP is now installed and ready to use. Create your first site to get started!
Recommended PHP Extensions
Enhance your PHP development experience with these VS Code extensions:
PHP Language Support
PHP Intelephense
\mewburn.vscode-intelephense-client\
Advanced PHP language server with IntelliSense, code completion, and navigation.
Debugging
PHP Debug
\xdebug.php-debug\
Xdebug integration for step-by-step debugging, breakpoints, and variable inspection.
Laravel Development
Laravel Extension Pack
\onecentlin.laravel-extension-pack\
Complete Laravel tooling including snippets, blade syntax highlighting, and artisan commands.
Quick Extension Install
Copy and paste this into your terminal to install all recommended extensions at once:
code --install-extension ms-vscode-remote.remote-containers
code --install-extension ms-azuretools.vscode-docker
code --install-extension ms-vscode-remote.vscode-remote-extensionpack
code --install-extension bmewburn.vscode-intelephense-client
code --install-extension xdebug.php-debug
code --install-extension onecentlin.laravel-extension-packTroubleshooting
Next Steps
Create Your First Site
Follow our quick start guide to create your first PHP project
Service Management
Learn how to install and manage MySQL, Redis, and other services
Need Help? Join our Discord community for support and tips from other DAMP users!