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

Detect runtimes: Check which runtimes are available (python3 --version, node --version, deno --version, etc.).
Default to Python 3 — pre-installed on most Linux/macOS systems.
Node.js project context — prefer npx serve or npx http-server.
Deno project context — use the jsr:@std/http/file-server.
Minimal environment (containers, embedded) — use busybox httpd.
Windows without WSL — use PowerShell (Pode) or IIS Express.
Need features (upload, auth, HTTPS) — recommend miniserve (Rust) or Algernon.
No runtime available — suggest Docker approach.
Always confirm the desired port (default 8000) and directory (default .).
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