serve-lite

a lightweight http-server for static file-based web development

Features

• zero dependencies
• zero code: launch from cli with npx
• support SPA (client-side routing) with (--app argument)
• auto open browser with (--open=<browser> argument)
• shows all network interface URLs for local network access
• dark mode support (follows system preference)
• smart numeric file sorting (handles common prefix/suffix)
• supports various media formats (video/audio viewing in browser)
• UTF-8 charset support for text files (markdown, txt, etc.)
• HEAD method support (check file size and last modified time)

Usage

npx serve-lite [--app] [--open=<browser>] [port] [rootDir]

The port and rootDir are optionals

Usage Example

# listen on port 8100 and using ./public as root directory
npx serve-lite 8100 public

# the order can be flipped so you don't need to remember
npx serve-lite public 8100

# auto find available port from 8080 to 65530
npx serve-lite public

# serve react build directory with client-side routing
npx serve-lite --app build

# auto open browser after starting server
npx serve-lite --open=firefox public

# by default use current working directory as root directory
npx serve-lite

Sample output:

listening on http://localhost:8100
listening on http://192.168.1.100:8100 (eth0)

License

This project is licensed with BSD-2-Clause

This is free, libre, and open-source software. It comes down to four essential freedoms [ref]:

• The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose
• The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish
• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others
• The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others