one line HTTP static server

Start a local HTTP static file server in the current or specified directory using one-line commands compatible with 25+ languages and tools, auto-detecting r...

HTTP Static Server One-Liners

Start an ad-hoc HTTP static file server serving the current (or specified) directory. Default: http://localhost:8000

Reference: https://gist.github.com/willurd/5720255 Detailed per-language docs: {baseDir}/references/

When to use this skill

• User needs to quickly serve static files (HTML/CSS/JS/images) locally
• User asks "how do I start a local web server" or similar
• User wants to preview a static site, share files over LAN, or test frontend assets
• User needs a quick HTTP server for development or testing

Quick Reference Table

Language/Tool	Command	Dir Listing	Install Needed
Python 3	python3 -m http.server 8000	Yes	No
Python 2	python -m SimpleHTTPServer 8000	Yes	No
Twisted	twistd -n web -p 8000 --path .	Yes	pip install twisted
Node.js (npx)	npx http-server -p 8000	Yes	No
Node.js (serve)	npx serve -l 8000	Yes	No
node-static	npx node-static -p 8000	No	No
Deno	deno run --allow-net --allow-read jsr:@std/http/file-server	Yes	No
PHP	php -S 127.0.0.1:8000	No	No
Ruby	ruby -run -ehttpd . -p8000	Yes	No
Ruby (WEBrick)	ruby -rwebrick -e'WEBrick::HTTPServer.new(:Port=>8000,:DocumentRoot=>Dir.pwd).start'	Yes	No
Ruby (adsf)	adsf -p 8000	No	gem install adsf
Ruby (Sinatra)	ruby -rsinatra -e'set :public_folder,".";set :port,8000'	No	gem install sinatra
Go	go run github.com/goware/webify@latest -port 8000 .	Yes	No
Java 18+	jwebserver -d . -b 0.0.0.0 -p 8000	Yes	No
Java (module)	java -m jdk.httpserver -d . -b 0.0.0.0 -p 8000	Yes	No
Rust	miniserve -p 8000 .	Yes	cargo install miniserve
Perl (Plack)	plackup -MPlack::App::Directory -e 'Plack::App::Directory->new(root=>".");' -p 8000	Yes	cpan Plack
Perl (Brick)	perl -MHTTP::Server::Brick -e '$s=HTTP::Server::Brick->new(port=>8000);$s->mount("/"=>{path=>"."});$s->start'	Yes	cpan HTTP::Server::Brick
Perl (Mojo)	perl -MMojolicious::Lite -MCwd -e 'app->static->paths->[0]=getcwd;app->start' daemon -l http://*:8000	No	cpan Mojolicious::Lite
Erlang	erl -s inets -eval 'inets:start(httpd,[...]).'	No	No
Elixir	elixir --no-halt -e 'Application.start(:inets);:inets.start(:httpd,...)'	No	No
BusyBox	busybox httpd -f -p 8000	Yes	No
lighttpd	lighttpd -Df - <<< ...	Configurable	brew install lighttpd
webfs	webfsd -F -p 8000	Yes	apt install webfs
Algernon	algernon -x . :8000	Yes	brew install algernon
Docker (Nginx)	docker run --rm -v "$PWD":/usr/share/nginx/html:ro -p 8000:80 nginx	Configurable	Docker
Docker (PHP)	docker run -it --rm -v "$PWD":/app -w /app -p 8000:8000 php:8.2-cli php -S 0.0.0.0:8000	No	Docker
PowerShell (Pode)	Start-PodeStaticServer -Port 8000 -FileBrowser -Address 0.0.0.0	Yes	Install-Module Pode
IIS Express	iisexpress.exe /path:C:\MyWeb /port:8000	No	Windows

Decision guide for the agent

1. Detect runtimes: Check which runtimes are available (python3 --version, node --version, deno --version, etc.).
2. Default to Python 3 — pre-installed on most Linux/macOS systems.
3. Node.js project context — prefer npx serve or npx http-server.
4. Deno project context — use the jsr:@std/http/file-server.
5. Minimal environment (containers, embedded) — use busybox httpd.
6. Windows without WSL — use PowerShell (Pode) or IIS Express.
7. Need features (upload, auth, HTTPS) — recommend miniserve (Rust) or Algernon.
8. No runtime available — suggest Docker approach.
9. Always confirm the desired port (default 8000) and directory (default .).
10. For per-language details, flags, and advanced usage, see {baseDir}/references/<language>.md.

Common options

Need	Solution
Custom port	Replace 8000 with desired port in any command
Serve a specific directory	Append the path or use the tool's directory flag
Bind to all interfaces (LAN)	Use 0.0.0.0 as the bind address
CORS headers	npx http-server --cors or add middleware
HTTPS	miniserve --tls-cert/--tls-key, reverse proxy, or openssl s_server
Directory listings	Python, http-server, Plack, miniserve, BusyBox support by default
File upload	miniserve --upload-files
Authentication	miniserve --auth user:password
Docker (no local runtime)	See {baseDir}/references/docker.md

Per-language reference docs

Detailed documentation with full flags, install instructions, and advanced usage:

• {baseDir}/references/python.md — Python 3, Python 2, Twisted
• {baseDir}/references/nodejs.md — http-server, serve, node-static, inline
• {baseDir}/references/deno.md — std/http file-server
• {baseDir}/references/php.md — Built-in dev server, Docker
• {baseDir}/references/ruby.md — ruby -run, WEBrick, adsf, Sinatra
• {baseDir}/references/go.md — webify, inline Go
• {baseDir}/references/rust.md — miniserve, http
• {baseDir}/references/java.md — jwebserver, jdk.httpserver, inline
• {baseDir}/references/perl.md — Plack, HTTP::Server::Brick, Mojolicious
• {baseDir}/references/erlang.md — inets
• {baseDir}/references/elixir.md — :inets, Plug
• {baseDir}/references/busybox.md — busybox httpd
• {baseDir}/references/docker.md — Nginx, PHP, Python, Alpine
• {baseDir}/references/powershell.md — Pode, .NET HttpListener, IIS Express
• {baseDir}/references/lighttpd.md — inline config, config file
• {baseDir}/references/webfs.md — webfsd
• {baseDir}/references/algernon.md — static mode, Lua scripting