Rook
Rook is a free, open-source environment manager for local development projects on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What Rook is
Rook is a free, open-source environment manager for local development projects on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It is offered as a desktop app with a web interface. Add a project directory and choose a .test domain to run the site with local HTTPS; Rook uses mkcert to provide automatically trusted certificates. It manages multiple PHP versions and per-site FPM pools, allowing projects to use separate versions without changing the system installation. Node.js support is built in. Rook can also start, stop, and manage MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Redis without Docker or manual installs. A plugin architecture with an open API allows community plugins. The shell installer detects the operating system and architecture, downloads the latest release, and installs the CLI and GUI, with an option to omit the GUI. Rook is MIT-licensed and community-driven, and its listed foundations include Go, Wails, Caddy, and Svelte. Its plan is listed as free, open source and free forever.
Good
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Provides local HTTPS with trusted certificates.
- Manages PHP versions and per-site FPM pools.
- Manages MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Redis without Docker.
Watch out
- The listed interface is a desktop app with a web UI.
- The installer offers an option to omit the GUI, not a CLI-only product description.
Who it suits
Rook suits developers who want to manage local project environments across Linux, macOS, or Windows. It may be useful for projects that need different PHP versions, local HTTPS, or database services without Docker.
Verdict
Rook combines local HTTPS, language runtimes, and database service management for development environments. Its free, open-source model and cross-platform support make it relevant to developers seeking those local project tools.
Plans and prices
From Rook's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Open source & free forever |
The facts
Each one read from Rook's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Database services
- Rook can start, stop, and manage MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Redis without Docker or manual installs.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Installer
- The shell installer detects the operating system and architecture, downloads the latest release, and installs the CLI and GUI; an option skips the GUI.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- Rook is MIT-licensed and community-driven, and the site welcomes contributions.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Local HTTPS
- Rook uses mkcert to provide local HTTPS with automatic trusted certificates.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Node.js
- Node.js support is built in.checked 5 Oct 2026
- PHP management
- Rook manages multiple PHP versions and per-site FPM pools so projects can use different versions without changing the system install.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Rook has a plugin architecture with an open API for community plugins.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Project setup
- Users can add a project directory and choose a .test domain to run the site with HTTPS.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Rook is a cross-platform, open-source development environment manager for local development.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Technology
- The site lists Go, Wails, Caddy, and Svelte among Rook's foundations.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop app
- Rook describes itself as a desktop app with native desktop performance and a modern web UI.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Colorado Springs, Colorado, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The site credits Andy Barilla.checked 5 Oct 2026
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