How to Install CodeIgniter 4: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

PHP is still one of the most widely used programming languages for web development in 2026. Many developers use PHP frameworks to build applications faster and keep their code organized. One of the most popular lightweight frameworks is CodeIgniter.

CodeIgniter is known for its simple structure, fast performance, and easy learning curve. It follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture, which helps developers organize code properly. Because of this, CodeIgniter is widely used for building dynamic websites, admin panels, APIs, and business applications.

If you are starting with PHP frameworks, CodeIgniter 4 is a good choice. In this tutorial, you will learn how to install CodeIgniter 4 step by step on your local computer.

What is CodeIgniter 4?

CodeIgniter 4 is the latest version of the CodeIgniter framework. It is built with modern PHP standards and includes many improvements compared to older versions.

• Lightweight and fast framework
• Easy to install and configure
• Follows MVC architecture
• Good documentation
• Built-in security features
• Composer support

Because of these features, many developers use CodeIgniter for small and medium web applications.

Requirements Before Installing CodeIgniter 4

Before installing CodeIgniter 4, make sure your system meets the basic requirements.

• PHP version 8.1 or higher
• Web server such as Apache or Nginx
• Composer installed on your system
• XAMPP, WAMP, or similar local server environment

If you are using XAMPP, make sure Apache and MySQL services are running before starting the installation.

Methods to Install CodeIgniter 4

There are two common ways to install CodeIgniter 4 on your system.

• Manual installation by downloading the framework
• Installation using Composer

Both methods work, but Composer installation is recommended because it automatically installs required packages and dependencies.

Method 1: Manual Installation of CodeIgniter 4

The first method is downloading the framework manually from the official website.

Visit the official website:

https://codeigniter.com

Download the latest version of CodeIgniter 4. After downloading the ZIP file, extract it on your computer.

If you are using XAMPP, move the extracted folder into the following directory:

C:\xampp\htdocs

C:\xampp\htdocs

You can rename the project folder to anything you like. For example:

my_ci4_project

my_ci4_project

Running the Development Server

After placing the folder inside the htdocs directory, open Command Prompt and navigate to the project directory.

cd C:\xampp\htdocs\my_ci4_project

cd C:\xampp\htdocs\my_ci4_project

Now run the following command to start the CodeIgniter development server.

php spark serve

php spark serve

This command will start the local development server. You will see an address similar to this:

http://localhost:8080

http://localhost:8080

Open this address in your browser. If the installation is successful, the CodeIgniter welcome page will appear.

Method 2: Install CodeIgniter 4 Using Composer

The second method uses Composer. This is the recommended way because it automatically installs all required dependencies.

Step 1: Download Composer

Go to the official Composer website:

https://getcomposer.org

Download the Windows installer file.

Composer-Setup.exe

Composer-Setup.exe

Step 2: Install Composer

Run the installer and follow the setup wizard. During installation, Composer may ask you to select the PHP executable file.

If you are using XAMPP, choose the following path:

C:\xampp\php\php.exe

C:\xampp\php\php.exe

Complete the installation process.

Step 3: Verify Composer Installation

Open Command Prompt and run the following command:

composer --version

composer --version

If Composer is installed correctly, the version number will appear on the screen.

Step 4: Create a CodeIgniter 4 Project

Navigate to the htdocs folder.

cd C:\xampp\htdocs

cd C:\xampp\htdocs

Now create a new CodeIgniter project using the following command.

composer create-project codeigniter4/appstarter my_ci4_project

composer create-project codeigniter4/appstarter my_ci4_project

Composer will download the framework and create the project folder automatically.

Step 5: Run the Project

Move into the project directory.

cd my_ci4_project

cd my_ci4_project

Start the development server.

php spark serve

php spark serve

Open your browser and visit:

http://localhost:8080

http://localhost:8080

You should now see the CodeIgniter welcome page.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to install CodeIgniter 4 using two different methods. Manual installation is simple, but using Composer is the recommended approach because it manages dependencies automatically and keeps the framework updated.

After installing CodeIgniter 4, you can start building web applications, APIs, and dynamic websites using the MVC structure. Learning CodeIgniter is a good step for developers who want to improve their PHP development skills.

Rahulhui