Run the Dev Server with runserver
Launch localhost:8000 and see the rocket page.
Run the Dev Server with runserver is a free Django Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Django Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Start the Dev Server
Django includes a lightweight development server. The runserver command launches your app locally so you can see it in a browser. 🚀
python manage.py runserverVisit localhost:8000
By default the server listens on localhost:8000. Open that address in your browser to reach your running project.
The Rocket Page
A fresh project greets you with a friendly rocket page. Seeing it means your install and project are working correctly. 🎉
Auto Reload on Save
The server watches your files and restarts on changes. This auto-reload means you rarely have to stop and start it manually.
Change the Port
Port 8000 busy? Pass a different number to runserver. The new port lets you run several projects side by side.
python manage.py runserver 8080Bind to All Interfaces
To reach the server from another device, bind to 0.0.0.0. Now your phone on the same network can load the page.
python manage.py runserver 0.0.0.0:8000Stop the Server
Done for now? Press Ctrl+C in the terminal to stop the server cleanly and return to your shell.
Read the Console Output
The terminal logs every request with its status code, like a 200 for success. This live log is your first debugging tool.
The Migrations Warning
On first run you may see an unapplied migrations warning. It is harmless now and just reminds you to set up the database soon.
Development Only
This server is for coding, not real traffic. In production you swap to a production server like Gunicorn, which you will meet later.
Run It From the Right Folder
Always launch runserver from the folder containing manage.py. Run it elsewhere and Django cannot find your project.
Quick Check
Let's confirm how runserver behaves.
Recap
You launched runserver, saw the rocket page, changed ports, and learned it is for development only. Your first app is live locally! 🎉
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Run the Dev Server with runserver” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Run the Dev Server with runserver” is free to read here on the web, and the Django Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Django Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Run the Dev Server with runserver”?
Launch localhost:8000 and see the rocket page. You practise Django Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Django Academy?
No prior experience is required. Django Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Run the Dev Server with runserver” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Django Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Django Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Virtual Environments with venv
- pip install django and Pinning Versions
- django-admin startproject Explained
- Run the Dev Server with runserver