Connecting To Localhost - The Easy Way

Overview:

When you need to expose your local development environment for testing or sharing, Localhost.run offers a simple solution. This tool allows you to securely make your localhost accessible from anywhere without complex configurations.

What Is Localhost.run?

Localhost.run is a service that uses SSH tunnels to expose your local server to the internet by creating a public URL. It’s useful for testing, sharing, or allowing remote access to your development environment.

Prerequisites:

• A running local server (Node.js, Python, etc.)
• SSH client (pre-installed on most systems)
• A terminal to run commands

Steps to Connect

1. Install SSH (If Needed):

macOS/Linux: Typically pre-installed; check with ssh -V. Windows: Install OpenSSH or use Git Bash. 2. Start Your Local Server: Ensure your server is running. For example, for Node.js:

node app.js

3. Expose Your Localhost with Localhost.run: Run the following SSH command, replacing PORT_NUMBER with your server’s port:

ssh -R 80:localhost:PORT_NUMBER localhost.run

For example, if your server is on port 3000:

ssh -R 80:localhost:3000 localhost.run

You’ll receive a public URL like https://<random-id>.localhost.run. and a QR code to scan with your phone camera to access the public link

4. Test the Connection:

Open the URL in any browser to access your localhost from anywhere.

5. Secure Your Localhost (Optional):

For sensitive data, add authentication layers like Basic Authentication or ACLs. Example for Express:

const express = require('express');
const basicAuth = require('express-basic-auth');
const app = express();

app.use(basicAuth({ users: { 'admin': 'password' }, challenge: true }));
app.listen(3000);

6. Stop the Tunnel:

To disconnect, press Ctrl + C in the terminal.