The Ultimate Guide to Faster Drupal Development (Using DDEV)

Ddev Image

This article provides a step-by-step guide to setting up a local Drupal development environment using DDEV, a handy tool that makes the process super smooth. Whether you're just starting with Drupal or you're a coding pro, this guide has got you covered. You'll learn everything you need to get your projects up and running in no time!

Key Takeaways:

  1. Seamless DDEV Installation and Configuration: Fine-tune DDEV to perfectly accommodate your Drupal development needs.
  2. Effortless Drupal and Drush Acquisition: Leverage DDEV's built-in tools to obtain these essential components without any hassle.
  3. Install Drupal within DDEV: Set up your Drupal site and prepare for productive development.

Prerequisites:

  • Command-line comfort: Ensure you are familiar with navigating and executing commands within a terminal environment.
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  • Docker setup: Install Docker Desktop (or an alternative) to harness the power of containerization.
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  • DDEV preparation: Install DDEV and ensure a smooth operation by running ddev debug dockercheck.
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Let's Begin:

  1. Project Creation and DDEV Configuration:

    • Open your terminal, create a directory for your Drupal project, and configure DDEV:

      mkdir my-new-project
      cd my-new-project
      ddev config --project-type drupal10 --create-docroot --docroot web

    Terminal Output:

    Create new project using DDEV
  2. Activate DDEV:

    • Start the DDEV containers to power your development environment ready:

      ddev start

    Terminal Output:
     

    Start DDEV
  3. Acquire Drupal with Composer:
    • Utilize DDEV's integrated Composer for simplified Drupal installation:

      Change the php version to 8.3 to support the Drupal 11  configuration.

      ddev config --php-version 8.3

      Below Command to install the Drupal 11 version. 

      ddev composer create drupal/recommended-project -y

      Terminal Output:

      Create drupal setup using composer
  4. Drupal Installation:
    • Install Drush and set up your Drupal site using Drush:

      ddev composer require --dev drush/drush
      ddev drush site:install --account-name=admin --account-pass=admin -y
    • (Optional, recommended for developers) Install development tools to facilitate code analysis and testing:

      ddev composer require --dev drupal/core-dev
  5. Explore Your Drupal Site:
    • Launch your Drupal site and commence your development journey:

      ddev launch
      • Or obtain a one-time login link for the admin account: 

        ddev drush user:login
      • Discover your site's URL by executing: 

        ddev describe
  6. Stop the DDEV instance:
    • When finished, gracefully stop DDEV: 

      ddev stop
    • Now quit Docker.
       

Why Choose DDEV:

  • Open-source and free: Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of open-source software without any licensing constraints.
  • Active maintenance and support: Benefit from ongoing updates, bug fixes, and a vibrant community of users and contributors.
  • Drupal-centric best practices: Leverage a development environment specifically tailored for Drupal development, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Develop seamlessly on macOS, Windows, or Linux, promoting collaboration across diverse environments.
  • Simplicity redefined: Streamline your workflow with an intuitive and user-friendly tool that minimizes complexity and empowers developers.

 

Further Exploration:

  • Deeper dive into DDEV: Explore the full range of DDEV's capabilities through comprehensive documentation and tutorials. 
  • Master Drupal development: Continue your learning journey with tutorials and resources on Drupal development techniques, module creation, theming, and more.
  • Embrace the Docker ecosystem: Gain a deeper understanding of Docker's underlying technology, which powers DDEV's containerized environment.
  • Join the community: Connect with other Drupal developers and DDEV users to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and collaborate on exciting projects.
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Important Note: DDEV not only simplifies the initial setup but also provides a robust and flexible platform for ongoing Drupal development. Embrace its features and empower yourself to build exceptional Drupal projects.