A simple, configurable web server written entirely in bash for educational and experimental use.
bashttpd is a web server written entirely in bash, designed as a minimal and educational implementation of HTTP serving. It solves the need for understanding how web servers work at a fundamental level, providing a transparent codebase that's easy to study and modify for learning purposes.
Shell scripting enthusiasts, students learning about HTTP protocols, and developers looking for a lightweight server for local testing or educational projects.
Developers choose bashttpd for its simplicity and educational value—it's one of the few web servers written purely in bash, making it uniquely accessible for studying server internals without complex dependencies.
A web server written in bash
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Written entirely in bash, the server's logic is transparent and easy to dissect, making it ideal for learning HTTP fundamentals without obfuscation, as highlighted in the description.
Running bashttpd automatically generates a default configuration file, and it only requires bash and a socket tool like socat or netcat, simplifying initial deployment for local testing.
Allows routing and behavior customization based on requested URIs, enabling flexible file serving and directory listings as per the configuration features listed.
Depends only on standard Unix tools (bash, socat/netcat), making it portable and easy to run in minimal environments without complex installations.
The README warns of only rudimentary input handling and advises against public use, making it vulnerable to attacks and unsuitable for any untrusted environment.
Barely supports HTTP/1.0 and lacks Host headers or HTTP/1.1 features, limiting compatibility with modern clients and reducing adherence to the HTTP spec.
Explicitly stated in limitations, bashttpd does not implement any authentication mechanisms, restricting its use for serving protected or private content.