Cloning a Laravel project from GitHub is easier than you think, even for beginners. In 2025, with Laravel 11 and PHP 8.2+ local setup is more streamlined and predictable.

These steps show how to clone a Laravel 11 project from GitHub and run it locally, from installing dependencies and .env file to running migrations and starting the app. Perfect whether you’re joining a new team, testing on your machine, or contributing to open source.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you start, make sure your system has the following:

  • PHP 8.2 or higher — Laravel 11 is built for the latest PHP versions.
  • Composer — handles all your PHP dependencies so the project installs correctly.
  • Git — to clone the project files from GitHub.
  • Database — MySQL, PostgreSQL or any other supported database to store your app data.
  • (Optional) Laravel Sail or Docker — to run your app in a container without messing up your local settings.

Step 1 – Clone the Laravel Project from GitHub

Getting the code on your local machine starts with cloning the repository. Here’s how:

1.1 Get the Repository URL

Go to the project’s GitHub page and click the green Code button. Copy the HTTPS link (or SSH link if you’ve set up SSH keys).

Example:

https://github.com/username/project.git

1.2 Run the Git Clone Command

Open your terminal, move to the folder where you want the project, and run:

git clone https://github.com/username/project.git

If you’d like to clone into a custom folder name, just add it at the end:

git clone https://github.com/username/project.git my-laravel-app

Step 2 – Set Up Your Project Locally

Now the code’s on your machine, a few quick steps, and you’re good to go:

2.1 Move Into the Project Directory

Switch to the folder you just cloned:

cd project

Or replace project with your folder name if you used a custom one.

2.2 Install Composer Dependencies

Laravel uses Composer to manage PHP packages. Run:

composer install

Also Read: The Laravel Helper Functions

2.3 Copy the .env File

Laravel stores app settings like database details in an .env file which isn’t shared. Copy the example file to create your own:

cp .env.example .env

2.4 Generate the App Key

Laravel apps need an encryption key for sessions and security. Run:

php artisan key:generate

This updates your new .env file automatically.

2.5 Update Database Settings in .env

Open the .env file and update these lines with your local database details:

DB_CONNECTION=mysqlDB_HOST=127.0.0.1

DB_PORT=3306

DB_DATABASE=your_database

DB_USERNAME=your_username

DB_PASSWORD=your_password

Make sure your database exists or create it before running migrations.

Quick fact: Laravel powers over 780,000 live websites in the technology sector as of mid‑2024, accounting for 24.4% of all Laravel‑powered sites

Step 3 – Build Your Database

Now your .env file is ready, let’s build the database:

3.1 Run Migrations

Migrations create the database structure Laravel needs. Run:

php artisan migrate

3.2 Seed the Database with Sample Data

If the project has seeders, you can fill your tables with sample data for testing:

php artisan db:seed

Step 4 – Launch the Laravel App Locally

Everything’s set up, now you can see the app in your browser.

4.1 Using php artisan serve

The simplest way is to use Laravel’s built in server:

php artisan serve

By default, this serves your app at:

http://localhost:8000

4.2 Serve with Laravel Sail or Docker

If the project supports Sail or Docker, you can spin up the app and its services (like MySQL) in containers.For Sail, run:

./vendor/bin/sail up

Common Issues & Quick Fixes

Even experienced devs hit small snags after cloning. Here’s what to check first:

  • Missing PHP Extensions

Make sure your PHP version includes all required extensions (like mbstring, bcmath, openssl).

  • Storage & Cache Permissions

If you see permission errors, run:

chmod -R 775 storagechmod -R 775 bootstrap/cache

This lets the server write cache and log files.

  • Database Connection Errors

Double-check your .env settings, confirm the database exists, and ensure it’s running.

  • Frontend Assets Not Loading (if project uses Vue/React)

            Run:

npm install && npm run dev

to build JavaScript and CSS assets.

A quick check of these usually solves most local setup headaches.

Conclusion

Cloning and running a Laravel 11 project from GitHub is an essential skill for modern PHP development. Staying updated with PHP 8.2+, managing Composer dependencies, and using tools like Sail or Docker keeps your local development environment smooth and production-ready.

By following these steps, you can clone a Laravel 11 project from GitHub and run it locally, making onboarding, testing, and contributions faster and more reliable in 2025.