XenoHost runs Apache, PHP and MySQL on your Mac. It keeps its engines in /Applications/XenoHost, next to the app, and writes plain config files you can read.
Before you start
You’ll need:
- A Mac with Apple silicon, running macOS 15 or later.
- An administrator account, to approve XenoHost’s helper once.
- For trusted HTTPS: mkcert’s local certificate authority. If it isn’t set up, XenoHost tells you what to run.
Running MAMP PRO too? Both can’t use ports 80, 443 and 3306 at once. Use the “alongside MAMP” ports (8080, 8443 and 3307) until you switch. See Import from MAMP PRO.
Add your first site
Move XenoHost to Applications
Drag XenoHost into your Applications folder and open it. It’s signed and notarized.
Approve the helper
XenoHost uses a small helper to edit its own marked block in
/etc/hosts, and nothing else. macOS asks you to approve it once.Add a site
Click New Site and choose the site’s folder. Give it a hostname such as
mysite.local, pick its PHP version and turn on HTTPS.Review and Save
Nothing changes until you click Save. The preview shows every file XenoHost will write, such as the virtual host and the hosts entry, and the services it will reload. Apply it, and XenoHost checks the site answers before it finishes. If it doesn’t, everything is rolled back and your edits are kept.
Open it
Open
https://mysite.localin your browser, or use the site’s actions in the menu bar menu.Tip: Open in Terminal starts a shell in the site folder with the site’s exact PHP on your PATH, so
php,composerandartisanuse the same version as the site.
Add a database
In the site’s Databases tab, create or link a database, then copy its connection settings into your .env. MySQL listens on 127.0.0.1 only.
When something looks wrong
- Open Server Status to see each service, its ports and its logs.
- The Logs window shows the site’s Apache, PHP and Laravel errors with explanations.
- Run
xenohost doctorin Terminal for a full check of engines, ports, config and your CA.