I searched and couldn’t find a method for autostarting XAMPP upon startup for Mac OS X. I’ll publish this method, and I can definitely say that it works. I can’t promise there isn’t a more efficient way. This uses AppleScript to run a shell command. Open up Script Editor from Applications > AppleScript. Insert this command:
do shell script "/Applications/xampp/xamppfiles/mampp start" user name "YourUserName" password "YourPassword" with administrator privileges
Of course, replace YourUserName with your OS X username and replace YourPassword with the respective password.
Save the script as an application (through the Save As… menu), and in System Preferences > Accounts > Login Items, include the new little application you just made. (I also chose to hide mine. It shouldn’t really matter, once the application is finished running, it quits.) It’ll start XAMPP upon startup, and of course, shutting down your computer will automatically stop the XAMPP server. You’re welcome.
If you didn’t really understand most of this little tutorial, then you probably shouldn’t be messing with XAMPP anyhow.
If anyone knows how to run a shell command at startup without going through AppleScript, please let me know. I’m sure it’s possible, I’m just not skilled enough to figure it out on my own.
thanks for the tip — definitely an easy little trick and a big help!