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how to share localhost

How to Share Localhost with a Client or Stakeholder (Without Deploying)

Need to share a work-in-progress app from localhost? This guide shows the fastest path, the tradeoffs of each method, and how to keep review sessions under control.

Published May 25, 2026 3 min read
In this article

Your app runs on localhost:3000. Your client wants a review link before the day ends. You can deploy to staging, set up a screenshare, or share a tunnel URL from your local machine.

For most review sessions, a tunnel wins. You skip deploy overhead, your client can click through on their own time, and you keep the session short and scoped.

This guide shows how to share localhost with a client, what can break during review, and what to check before you send the URL.

How to share localhost: quick answer

If you need a link now, run:

npx wiremaven-cli 3000

The command starts a tunnel and prints a public URL. Send that URL to your client. The session link expires when the review window closes.

What sharing localhost means

localhost points to your machine. No one outside your machine can access it.

To share local work with a stakeholder, you need a route from the public internet to your local port.

You have two options. For remote clients, use a tunnel:

  1. Same-network sharing over LAN.
  2. Tunnel-based sharing through a relay service.

A tunnel service gives you a public URL and forwards traffic to your local app over an outbound connection. You do not open inbound ports on your router. You do not rework firewall rules.

Wiremaven CLI

Use the CLI when you want the fastest path from terminal to link.

  1. Start your app on its local port.
  2. Run the tunnel command.
  3. Copy the URL and send it.
npx wiremaven-cli 3000

You can set a short TTL so the link closes after the review window.

Wiremaven package

If you use Astro, Vite, Next.js, Webpack, or Rspack, add the package to your project:

npm install -D wiremaven
npx wiremaven init
npm run dev

The package adds an in-browser overlay that shows session activity in context while you review.

Wiremaven Chrome extension

Use the extension when you cannot touch project files. Open the popup, enter your port, choose TTL, and start the tunnel.

Method 2: LAN sharing (same network)

LAN sharing works when both devices stay on the same local network.

  1. Find your local IP.
  2. Bind your dev server to 0.0.0.0.
  3. Share http://<local-ip>:<port>.

Examples:

# macOS local IP
ipconfig getifaddr en0

# Next.js
next dev -H 0.0.0.0

# Vite
vite --host 0.0.0.0

Use this for in-office sessions.

Other tools

ngrok

ngrok has broad adoption and strong docs.

ngrok http 3000

Expect free-tier limits and an interstitial step for reviewers on free plans.

localtunnel

localtunnel gives a low-friction path for quick tests.

npx localtunnel --port 3000

Expect less consistency under load.

VS Code Dev Tunnels

VS Code Dev Tunnels fit internal team workflows. They require platform accounts and fit internal review better than external client walkthroughs.

Use this checklist:

  • App loads on your local port.
  • Public tunnel URL resolves in your browser.
  • Session has an expiry window.
  • URL uses https:// when your app depends on secure context features.
  • You tell reviewers which flows are still in progress.
  • You have a way to detect failures during the session.

Stay informed during review

A tunnel URL solves access, not visibility.

During review, stakeholders can hit broken routes, fail API calls, or stop at blocked flows. If you watch server logs, you miss context.

Use a session surface that shows:

  • Viewer connections.
  • Request outcomes.
  • Failure events.
  • Remaining session time.

When you can see these signals in real time, you can fix issues during the review instead of sorting vague feedback after the call.

FAQ

How do I share localhost with a client?

Start a tunnel from your local port and send the generated URL:

npx wiremaven-cli 3000

The client opens the link in any browser.

Do I need to deploy first?

No. A localhost tunnel routes traffic from a public URL to your local app.

Is sharing localhost safe?

Use time-boxed links and share them with the intended reviewers. Keep sessions short. End the session after review.

Start in one command

npx wiremaven-cli 3000

Then load the URL yourself, confirm flows, and send it.

For full setup details, see Wiremaven docs and how the tunnel model works.