Question 1

How to set up HTTPS with http-server?

Accepted Answer

Generate SSL certificates using OpenSSL (e.g., `openssl req -newkey rsa:2048 -new -nodes -x509 -days 3650 -keyout key.pem -out cert.pem`), then run `http-server -S -C cert.pem`. Passphrases must be set via the NODE_HTTP_SERVER_SSL_PASSPHRASE environment variable.

Question 2

http-server vs live-server: which is better for development?

Accepted Answer

http-server is simpler and zero-config, ideal for static serving and production use, while live-server includes live reload for faster development cycles. Choose http-server for reliability and live-server for convenience during active coding.

Question 3

How to disable caching in http-server?

Accepted Answer

Use the `-c-1` flag when starting the server, as caching is enabled by default with a 3600-second max-age. This ensures files are always fetched fresh during testing.

Question 4

Can http-server serve dynamic content?

Accepted Answer

No, it's strictly a static file server. For dynamic content, you must use the proxy option to forward requests to a backend server or combine it with other tools that handle server-side logic.

Question 5

How to use http-server with a proxy for API requests?

Accepted Answer

Use the `-P` flag followed by the proxy URL (e.g., `-P http://localhost:3000`). Unresolved requests will be forwarded, allowing you to mock APIs or integrate with a separate backend while serving static assets locally.

Question 6

What ports does http-server use by default?

Accepted Answer

It defaults to port 8080, but you can change it with `-p`. Use `-p 0` to automatically find an open port starting from 8080, and it also reads from the PORT environment variable for flexibility.

http-server

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