NostalgiaPHP

🪨 NostalgiaPHP Quickstart for Non-Devs

Make site. Fast. Files good. Framework bad.

This is the fun way to edit a website — no scary dashboards, no logins, just files and folders.

Step 0. Get the Website Files

  1. Go to the project on GitHub: 👉 https://github.com/bmehder/NostalgiaPHP
  2. Click the green Code button, then click Download ZIP.
  3. When it finishes downloading, unzip it (double-click the .zip file). You’ll now have a folder called NostalgiaPHP-main.
  4. Move this folder somewhere easy to find, like your Desktop or Documents.

Step 1. Check if Your Computer Already Speaks PHP

  • On Mac, open Terminal (in Applications → Utilities). Type:

    php -v

  • On Windows, Open Command Prompt (press Win + R, type cmd, then hit Enter). Type:

    php -v

  • On either:

    If you see something like: PHP 8.2.12 (cli) ... 🎉 You’re ready! Skip to Step 3.

    If you see command not found → continue to Step 2.

Step 2. Teach Your Computer PHP (one-time)

  • On Mac, download this friendly little app:
    👉 https://herd.laravel.com/

    Open the installer, let it finish. Done. Your Mac speaks PHP now.

  • On Windows, download this friendly little app:
    👉 https://laragon.org/download

    Open the installer, let it finish. Done. Your PC speaks PHP now.

ℹ️ You won't be using the app you just installed, it is just the easiest way to install PHP on your computer.

Step 3. Enter the Cave

  • On Mac: Use Terminal to move into the project folder. Example:

    cd ~/Desktop/NostalgiaPHP

    (Change the path if you put the folder somewhere else.)

  • On Windows: Use Command Prompt to move into the project folder. Example:

    cd JOHNDOE\Desktop\NostalgiaPHP

    (Change the path if you put the folder somewhere else, e.g. Documents\NostalgiaPHP.)

Step 4. Light the Fire 🔥

  • Still in Terminal (on Mac), or Command Prompt (on Windows), type:

    php -S localhost:8000

  • This means “serve this folder at http://localhost:8000”.

Step 5. Open Browser, See Magic ✨

  • Go to http://localhost:8000 in your favorite browser.

  • That’s your site, live!

  • Now edit any .md file in the content/ folder, save, refresh browser → instant change.

Cave Tips

  • Stop the fire → Press Ctrl + C in Terminal or Command Prompt to stop serving your site.

  • Edit safely → Markdown files are just text. You can use TextEdit (Mac) or Notepad (Windows) if you want — they’ll work, but everything looks like plain text.

    ℹ️ For an easier time, download a free editor like VS Code (Mac/Windows) or Notepad++ (Windows). These highlight your code, which makes things easier.

  • Don’t panic → If a page disappears, you probably broke the --- front matter --- at the top. Fix it and reload.

  • Backups → Copy the folder. That’s it.

📝 That’s all!
Make site. Fast. Files good. Framework bad.