Hey everyone! I’m planning to create some WordPress themes with TailwindCSS. I’m using a Mac but I’m not keen on using the built-in PHP MySQL and other stuff that comes with MacOS.
I’m really curious about how you all set up your development environments. What tools and software do you use? Do you prefer local setups or cloud-based solutions? Any tips for optimizing performance or streamlining the workflow?
I’ve heard about things like Docker and Vagrant but I’m not sure which direction to go. Also wondering if there are any Mac-specific recommendations you might have.
Thanks in advance for sharing your insights! I’m excited to learn from your experiences and set up a solid dev environment for my WordPress projects.
hey there! i’ve been using DDEV lately and it’s pretty sweet. it’s like docker but easier to set up. works great with tailwind too. just make sure u have homebrew installed first.
one tip: use wp-cli for quik updates. saves tons of time.
oh, and check out ACF for custom fields. makes theme dev way easier. good luck!
As someone who’s been through the WordPress development ringer, I can tell you that Local by Flywheel has been a game-changer for me. It’s super user-friendly, especially on Mac, and takes care of all the server setup hassles.
For theme development with TailwindCSS, I’ve found Laragon to be incredibly useful. It’s lightweight and lets you switch between PHP versions easily.
One tip I can’t stress enough: use version control, even for small projects. Git has saved my bacon more times than I can count.
Also, invest time in learning WP-CLI. It might seem daunting at first, but it’ll speed up your workflow tremendously once you get the hang of it.
Lastly, don’t overlook the power of a good debugging tool. Xdebug has been invaluable in tracking down those pesky bugs that always seem to crop up.
For WordPress development in 2025, I’d recommend a containerized approach using Docker. It’s platform-agnostic, so it’ll work great on your Mac. Set up a docker-compose file with separate containers for WordPress, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin. This isolates your dev environment and makes it easily reproducible.
For theme development with TailwindCSS, use a build process with npm scripts. Configure Webpack or Gulp to compile your Tailwind styles and handle asset optimization.
Consider using WP-CLI in your workflow for managing WordPress from the command line. It’s a huge time-saver for tasks like installing plugins or managing users.
Lastly, look into using VS Code with WordPress-specific extensions. The debugging capabilities and integrated terminal make development much smoother.
This setup should give you a flexible, powerful environment that’s easy to version control and share with teammates if needed.