localhost.run
Connect web applications running on your computer to the internet instantly
localhost.run
Description
Localhost.run is a web-based tunneling service that allows developers to expose their local development environments to the internet. This platform enables developers working on local servers (often on port 80 or 443) to make their applications accessible through a secure, public URL without the need for complex network configurations or server setups.
Key Features:
- Secure Tunneling: Localhost.run utilizes SSH protocol to securely tunnel requests from a public URL to the developer's local machine, ensuring data remains safe in transit.
- Ease of Use: To set up, developers simply invoke a command from their terminal. This can often be as simple as
ssh -R 80:localhost:YOUR_PORT localhost.run
, making the process quick for anyone familiar with command-line tools. - Custom Subdomains: Developers have the option to use custom subdomains for their public URLs, which can be particularly useful for sharing specific projects without needing to remember long URLs.
- Temporary Availability: Since the tunnels are designed for development purposes, tunnels will be null after the user's local machine goes offline or disconnects from the service.
- No Installation Required: Unlike some other tunneling services, localhost.run does not require additionally installing software; it runs solely through SSH.
Use Cases:
- Web Development: Easily share ongoing projects with clients or team members for feedback in real time.
- API Development: Allow external services to interact with APIs hosted locally, facilitating testing and collaboration.
- Testing and Demos: Quickly show a working demo to stakeholders without deploying code to a production server.
Technical Requirements:
- Users must have SSH installed on their local machine (available by default on most UNIX-like systems, including macOS and Linux).
- A stable internet connection is required to maintain the tunnel once it's established.
Limitations:
- Localhost.run is best suited for temporary access and development purposes; it's not intended for production-level deployments.
- Users are responsible for their local machine's uptime while sharing their work via localhost.run.
Conclusion:
Localhost.run is a valuable tool for developers looking to quickly and securely expose their local applications to the internet. Its simple SSH-based interface combined with security makes it an excellent solution for collaborative development in real-time, catering especially to individual developers and small teams.