vercel-labs

portless

DevOps#Localhost#Proxy#Development#HTTPS#Node.js

// summary

Portless replaces dynamic local port numbers with stable, named .localhost URLs to simplify development workflows. It automatically manages HTTPS certificates, handles proxying for various frameworks, and supports advanced features like monorepo integration and Tailscale sharing. The tool ensures a seamless experience by auto-assigning ports and injecting necessary configurations into your development environment.

// technical analysis

Portless is a developer tool designed to replace ephemeral port numbers with stable, human-readable .localhost URLs for local development environments. By acting as a local proxy, it automatically manages HTTPS/TLS certificates, handles port assignment, and supports complex setups like monorepos and git worktrees. This approach solves the friction of managing multiple dev server ports and browser-based CORS or authentication issues, while providing seamless integration with existing frameworks through automatic environment variable injection.

// key highlights

Provides stable, named HTTPS URLs like https://myapp.localhost instead of relying on random local ports.

Automatically generates and trusts a local CA to enable seamless HTTPS/HTTP/2 development without browser warnings.

Supports monorepo architectures by automatically discovering workspace packages and assigning them unique subdomains.

Integrates with Git worktrees by prepending branch names to URLs, allowing developers to run multiple versions of the same project simultaneously.

Offers LAN mode via mDNS, making local development servers accessible from other devices on the same network.

Enables easy sharing of local dev servers with teammates via Tailscale or public exposure through Tailscale Funnel.

// use cases

Replace dynamic localhost ports with stable, human-readable URLs like https://myapp.localhost.

Enable automatic HTTPS with HTTP/2 support and local CA trust for secure development.

Share local development servers securely across a Tailscale network or publicly via Tailscale Funnel.

// getting started

Install the package globally using 'npm install -g portless'. Once installed, you can run your development server by prefixing your command with 'portless', such as 'portless run next dev'. The tool will automatically handle proxy setup, port assignment, and URL generation for your application.