Expired links show a clear page, not raw transport errors.
If a reviewer opens an expired link, a stopped or refreshed link, or an invalid token, the relay returns a branded HTML page that explains what happened and what to do next.
How it works
How wiremaven turns localhost into a controlled review session.
Sharing localhost sounds simple until someone needs to review unfinished work live. wiremaven splits the job between a hosted relay and a Chrome extension, so sessions are faster to run and easier to manage.
The flow
From install to shared review in three steps.
One install, one click. wiremaven handles the relay so you can focus on the review.
01
Start
Create a temporary review session from the port you use.
Add the wiremaven Chrome extension and start your dev server as usual. Open the popup, enter the port, pick 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and click Start. Nothing in your project changes.
02
Route
Reviewers visit wiremaven instead of your local machine.
The hosted relay acts as the public entry point, then forwards each request through the extension's connection to your local app. Access stays scoped to the active session and the link stays simple to share.
03
Stay aware
Live session signals stay visible while the review is in motion.
The popup shows viewer connections, request outcomes, failures, and expiry while the review runs, so you do not need a separate dashboard.
Failure states
wiremaven gives each edge case a clear state.
Expired links, disconnects, and stale sessions each surface a clear state so reviewers and presenters know where they stand.
Presenters recover from the popup.
When the relay disconnects or the local app stops answering, the popup shows the status and logs the reason, so you know whether to restart the app or start a fresh session and send the new link.
A new session means a new URL.
Refreshing or recreating a session generates a new URL. The previous link stops working, so reviewers know to use the new one.
Architecture
How the localhost review flow is split in v1.
Each part runs where it belongs, making sessions temporary by default and visible during reviews.
| Part | Runs where | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Hosted relay | wiremaven edge | Public review link, request routing, temporary session state |
| Chrome extension | Your browser | Outbound relay connection, localhost proxying, session heartbeat, and expiry |
| Popup | Chrome toolbar | Start and stop, the session timer, request, error, and connection counts, and the session log |
| Local app | Your machine | Your dev server on a localhost port, unchanged |
This split keeps wiremaven scoped: temporary, visible during reviews, and simple enough to trust. For the two general-purpose models, a public tunnel and a private mesh network, read ngrok vs Tailscale.
Last updated: November 2026