How to Share Your Local Web Server with the World Using localtunnel in Termux

Have you ever needed to share your local web server with someone outside your network? Whether you’re testing webhooks (external link), demonstrating a prototype to a client, or collaborating with team members, being able to expose your local server to the internet can be incredibly useful. Traditionally, this required complex configurations like port forwarding or setting up a public server. However, with localtunnel, you can easily share your local web server with the world using just a few commands in Termux.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to install localtunnel in Termux, start a local web server, and expose it to the internet. By the end, you’ll be able to share your server with a simple URL.

localtunnel in Termux Use Cases

• Testing Webhooks: When developing applications that rely on webhooks, you can use localtunnel to expose your local development server to the internet, allowing external services to communicate with it.
• Client Demos: Share a working prototype with clients or colleagues without needing to deploy it to a public server, making quick feedback and iterations possible.
• Collaborative Development: Enable team members to access your development environment for real-time feedback or joint problem-solving sessions.
• Remote Debugging: Grant access to a remote developer or support person to debug issues on your local server.
• IoT Device Integration: Use localtunnel to expose the web interface of your local IoT devices, making them accessible from anywhere in the world for remote control and monitoring.

Prerequisite

Before getting started, ensure you have the following:

• Termux installed on your Android device. (Consider linking to your Termux installation guide or an authoritative external source)
• A local web server set up (e.g., using Python’s SimpleHTTPServer, Node.js, etc.).
• Basic knowledge of command-line operations.

Step 1: Install Node.js in Termux

localtunnel is a Node.js application, so you’ll need to have Node.js installed in Termux. Here’s how to do it:

Update your package list:

$ pkg update

Install Node.js:

$ pkg install nodejs

Verify the installation:

$ node -v 

This command should display the installed version of Node.js, confirming that the installation was successful.

For more detailed instructions, check out our How to Install Node.js in Termux article (internal link).

Step 2: Install localtunnel Globally

With Node.js installed, you can now install localtunnel globally using npm (Node Package Manager).

Install localtunnel:

$ npm install -g localtunnel

Verify the installation:

$ lt --version 

This command will display the installed version of localtunnel, confirming that it’s ready to use.

Step 3: Start Your Local Web Server

Before you can share your server with the world, you need to ensure it’s running locally. Here’s an example using Python’s built-in HTTP server:

Navigate to your web project directory:

$ cd /path/to/your/web/project

Start the server (replace 8000 with your desired port):

$ python3 -m http.server 8000 

Your web server is now running locally on port 8000.

Step 4: Expose Your Local Server to the Internet Using localtunnel

Now that your server is running locally, you can expose it to the internet using localtunnel.

Run localtunnel and specify the port your server is using:

$ lt --port 8000 

localtunnel will generate a URL that redirects traffic to your local server. Copy this URL and share it with anyone who needs access.

Step 5: Custom Subdomain (Optional)

If you prefer a custom subdomain for your server, localtunnel allows you to specify one. This is particularly useful for branding or easy recall.

Use the --subdomain flag:

$ lt --port 8000 --subdomain yourcustomname

Access your server: If available, your server will be accessible at yourcustomname.loca.lt.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Port in Use: If you encounter an error indicating that the port is already in use, stop any other services running on the same port or choose a different one.
• Connection Issues: Ensure your internet connection is stable. If you’re using mobile data, check if any firewall or restrictions are applied by your carrier.

For more common issues, visit the official localtunnel FAQ (external link).

Conclusion

With localtunnel, sharing your local web server with the world is incredibly simple. Whether you’re testing, demoing, or collaborating, you can easily expose your server to the internet without complex setup. Now that you’ve mastered the basics, feel free to explore more advanced features of localtunnel or experiment with other similar tools to enhance your workflow.

By following these steps, you’ve turned your local development environment into a powerful tool for remote access and collaboration. Happy coding!

For further reading, check out our guide on How to Keep SSH Sessions Alive in Termux (internal link).