Drupal CMS Launcher is an official desktop application for testing Drupal locally on Mac/Windows without installing a web server, PHP, or MySQL. 1 click = working Drupal!
✨ Perfect For
- Drupal beginners wanting to explore the CMS
- Developers needing quick local testing
- Client demos without internet dependency
- Training sessions with identical environments
What is Drupal CMS Desktop?
Drupal CMS Desktop is an official application from the Drupal Association that bundles everything you need to run Drupal locally:
- Embedded web server: No need to install Apache/Nginx
- PHP runtime: Pre-configured and optimized
- Database: SQLite included (no MySQL installation required)
- Drupal CMS: Latest stable version pre-installed
- Self-contained: Everything runs in the app, no system modifications
Installation in 3 Steps
Step 1: Download the App
Visit the official download page and choose your platform:
- Mac: Download .dmg file (Apple Silicon & Intel supported)
- Windows: Download .exe installer
Step 2: Install the Application
Mac:
- Open the .dmg file
- Drag the app to Applications folder
- First launch: Right-click → Open (to bypass Gatekeeper)
Windows:
- Double-click the .exe installer
- Follow the installation wizard
- Launch from Start Menu or Desktop shortcut
Step 3: Launch Drupal
- Open Drupal CMS Desktop app
- First launch: Automatic installation (~30 seconds)
- Click "Visit site" button
- Drupal opens in your default browser at
http://localhost:8888
Key Features
💾 Auto-Save
All your changes are automatically saved. Stop and restart anytime without losing work.
📁 Direct File Access
Click "Open Files" to access Drupal directory in Finder/Explorer. Edit themes and modules directly.
🗑️ One-Click Reset
Reset to fresh Drupal install anytime. Perfect for testing and learning.
⏸️ Auto-Pause
Server automatically stops when you close the app. No background resource usage.
🔒 Isolated Environment
Runs completely isolated from your system. No conflicts with other installations.
📊 Built-in Admin Access
Pre-configured admin account (credentials displayed in app). Start managing content immediately.
System Requirements
| Platform | Minimum Requirements | Disk Space |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | macOS 11 Big Sur or later | ~500 MB |
| Windows | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) | ~500 MB |
Use Cases
1. Learning Drupal
Perfect for beginners who want to explore Drupal without technical setup:
- No command-line knowledge required
- Experiment freely with reset capability
- Learn content types, views, blocks without fear
- Follow tutorials with a real Drupal instance
2. Client Demos
Demonstrate Drupal capabilities without internet dependency:
- Works offline (no Wi-Fi needed)
- Pre-configure demo content before meeting
- Show real-time content editing
- No hosting costs for demo sites
3. Training Sessions
Ensure all participants have identical environments:
- Same Drupal version for everyone
- No installation troubleshooting
- Focus on learning, not setup
- Easy reset between exercises
4. Quick Module Testing
Test modules before deploying to production:
- Install and test contributed modules
- Verify module compatibility
- Test configurations quickly
- No impact on dev environment
Comparison: Desktop vs DDEV vs Lando
| Feature | CMS Desktop | DDEV | Lando |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 1 minute | 10-15 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
| Technical Level | Beginner | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Command Line | Not required | Required | Required |
| Customization | Limited | Extensive | Extensive |
| Multi-Site | Single site | Multiple sites | Multiple sites |
| Use Case | Demo, learning | Development | Development |
Limitations to Know
When NOT to Use Drupal CMS Desktop
- Production development: Use DDEV/Lando for real projects
- Team collaboration: No Git integration or sharing capabilities
- Complex configurations: Limited customization of PHP/server settings
- Performance testing: SQLite performance differs from MySQL/PostgreSQL
- Multi-site installations: Only supports single Drupal instance
Tips and Tricks
Access Files Quickly
Click "Open Files" in the app to access:
themes/- Custom theme developmentmodules/custom/- Custom module developmentconfig/sync/- Configuration managementsites/default/files/- Uploaded media
Use with Code Editors
Open the Drupal directory in VS Code or PHPStorm:
- Click "Open Files" in Drupal CMS Desktop
- Drag folder to VS Code icon or use File → Open
- Edit files with full IDE features
- Changes are immediately reflected (refresh browser)
Install Contributed Modules
Use Drupal's UI to install modules (no Composer needed):
- Navigate to Extend in admin menu
- Click "Install new module"
- Enter module URL or upload .tar.gz file
- Enable the module
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Port 8888 already in use | Close other local servers (MAMP, XAMPP) or change port in app settings |
| Can't open app on Mac | Right-click → Open (first launch only to bypass Gatekeeper) |
| Site not loading | Click "Stop" then "Start" in app, or restart the application |
| Lost admin password | Reset to fresh install or check app for displayed credentials |
Next Steps After Testing
Once you're comfortable with Drupal, consider moving to a professional development environment:
For Development
- DDEV: Docker-based, powerful, team-friendly
- Lando: Similar to DDEV, different philosophy
- Local by Flywheel: WordPress-focused but supports Drupal
For Production
- Platform.sh: Drupal-optimized PaaS
- Pantheon: WebOps platform for Drupal
- Acquia Cloud: Enterprise Drupal hosting
Need Drupal Development Help?
Our VOID team specializes in Drupal development and consulting. We can help you:
- Development environment setup (DDEV, Docker, CI/CD)
- Custom Drupal development (modules, themes, migrations)
- Drupal training for your team
- Architecture consulting for scalable Drupal sites
- Performance optimization and security audits
Additional Resources
- Official Drupal CMS Desktop Page
- Drupal User Guide
- Drupal Expertise: our Drupal services
- All our publications: tech guides and news
Article published on 2025-12-06. Complete guide to Drupal CMS Desktop for beginners and quick local testing.