---
title: "MySQL Connection Support (Including MariaDB via XAMPP) is Now Available"
description: "LaunchFast now supports any MySQL connection string-including MySQL-compatible databases like MariaDB-so you can run the full starter kit against your preferred MySQL setup (XAMPP included)."
source: "https://www.launchfa.st/blog/mysql-xampp-mariadb-support"
author: "Rishi Raj Jain"
created_at: 2026-04-21T12:00:00.000Z
keywords: "mysql, mariadb, xampp, local development, database, launchfast"
---

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<img width="1600" height="900" alt="MySQL Support Now Available in LaunchFast Starter Kits" decoding="async" loading="eager" class="mt-4 border rounded-sm bg-cover bg-center bg-no-repeat transform will-change-auto" src="https://ik.imagekit.io/vjeqenuhn/launchfast-website/mysql-xampp-mariadb-support.png" />

You can now use **any MySQL connection** with LaunchFast - whether that’s a managed MySQL provider, your own MySQL server, or a **MySQL-compatible** database like **MariaDB**.

One popular local-development path is [**MariaDB via XAMPP**](https://www.apachefriends.org/blog/new_xampp_20151019.html), and this update makes that workflow significantly smoother. The goal is simple: point LaunchFast at your MySQL connection string/env vars and run the full starter kit end-to-end (auth, sessions, and all DB-backed features) without extra glue code.

## Why this matters

- **Fewer assumptions**: Not everyone uses the same database vendor or hosting setup.
- **Local dev convenience**: XAMPP is a common “get me a database quickly” setup, and it often ships with MariaDB.
- **Production parity**: MariaDB is widely used in production, and it’s MySQL-compatible - so a smoother integration helps beyond just local development.

## What’s included

- **Any MySQL connection**: Works with MySQL and MySQL-compatible providers that expose a MySQL connection string.
- **MariaDB (XAMPP) compatibility**: If your local MySQL-compatible database is MariaDB via XAMPP, you’re covered.
- **Same LaunchFast workflows**: You keep the same starter kit features-just set your database env vars.

## Getting started

1. Ensure your MySQL-compatible database is running (for example, start **MariaDB** in **XAMPP**).
2. Configure your MySQL database environment variables as per [the documentation](https://www.launchfa.st/documentation/database/mysql/).
3. Run migrations (as per [the documentation](https://www.launchfa.st/documentation/database/mysql/)) and start the app as usual.

## Keep the feedback coming

If you run into any edge cases with MariaDB versions or local setups, send them our way - we’ll keep tightening the “works on day one” experience.