Question 1

How to set up Live Server with HTTPS?

Accepted Answer

Create a JavaScript module exporting HTTPS configuration (e.g., cert and key files) and use --https=PATH in CLI or pass it in Node.js API. This allows secure connections but adds setup steps compared to simpler servers.

Question 2

Live Server not reloading my page, what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Check the browser console for WebSocket errors; ensure your browser supports WebSockets. Use the --wait option to delay reloads if changes are missing, and verify file paths are being watched correctly.

Question 3

How to ignore certain files in Live Server?

Accepted Answer

Use the --ignore flag with comma-separated paths or patterns (anymatch-compatible); avoid --ignorePattern as it's deprecated. This helps exclude files like node_modules from triggering reloads.

Question 4

Can Live Server work with Single Page Apps (SPAs)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, use the --spa flag to translate routes (e.g., /abc to /#/abc) or --entry-file to serve a fallback for 404s. It supports SPA development but lacks advanced routing features of framework-specific servers.

Question 5

Live Server vs Vite: which is better for development?

Accepted Answer

Live Server is ideal for simple static files with live reload, while Vite offers faster builds, hot module replacement, and built-in support for modern frameworks. Choose Live Server for lightweight projects, Vite for complex frontend apps.

Question 6

How to change the default port in Live Server?

Accepted Answer

Use the --port=NUMBER CLI flag (e.g., --port=3000) or set the PORT environment variable. The server will bind to that port instead of the default 8080.

Question 7

Why does Live Server inject JavaScript into my pages?

Accepted Answer

It injects a small script to establish a WebSocket connection for live reload functionality. This allows automatic refreshes without browser plugins, but can be disabled for CSS changes with --no-css-inject.

Live Server

What is Live Server?

Overview

Use Cases

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Related Projects

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Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions