Lightweight Localhost File Server for Mac

Question

Is there a super lightweight file server that I could use for development on my mac?

I'm imagining something like:

> cd somefolder
> run server
  ...running static file server at http://0.0.0.0:2343...

It's only for development of static html/css/js/images - no outside connections needed.

clee · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-12T05:03:30.857

72

Sure! And it's already installed.

Just try this:

cd path/to/files
python3 -m http.server

If you want to run it on a specific port instead of 8000 (the default), just append the port number as a second argument, like:

python3 -m http.server 2343

edited May 12 '20 at 05:03

answered Sep 24 '12 at 19:46

clee

Nice, but be sure to enter the IPAddress:8000 I was trying with localhost and 127.0.0.1 but it didn't work – Carlos487 Oct 18 '13 at 14:54
to run on port 80, if you need to: first `su`, then `python -mSimpleHTTPServer 80` . Thanks for this awesome find, clee! – xaphod Jul 28 '15 at 08:35
1

Damn that's satisfying. Perfect for deving an Angular app locally. – Oliver Holmberg Apr 23 '16 at 22:26
Works great! For me it needs to be run with `sudo`: `sudo python -mSimpleHTTPServer` – Lars Blumberg Jun 18 '17 at 10:53
This is a great solution for dealing with cross-origin issues arising from developing locally. – Magnus Lind Oxlund Jan 18 '19 at 13:11
Classic answer ever! :) (7 years later) – Loves2Develop Apr 23 '20 at 20:23
I forgot about this answer, but when I saw it, I knew it was time to port it to Python 3. Just like you should all be doing with your code by now! – clee May 12 '20 at 05:04
Very nice! Thanks for the great tip! – Blue Smith Mar 12 '21 at 04:03
Be aware that by default it listens on all interfaces which is a **security risk as it exposes your files on the attached network** - add `--bind localhost` to listen only on localhost. – Pierz Apr 08 '22 at 15:12

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 08 '22 at 15:14

0

It is also possible using php (e.g. listening on localhost and port 8080):

php -S localhost:8080

answered Apr 08 '22 at 15:14

Pierz

2 Answers2