How to host an HTML file with ngrok?

Question

Is it possible to host, instead of a web app, a HTML file with NGROK? I really don't know anything about NGROK, I just used it to host a server for a Twilio app, and am wanting to use it to host a HTML file for another one of my projects. Also, anybody know how to create a HTML file on a Mac? Thanks in advance. Or, If I can't use NGROK, anybody know something as easy and free is it is that I could use for hosting a HTML file on my computer. I need to be able to change the file in real time, so google sites and stuff like that are out of the question.

score 37 · Accepted Answer · answered May 02 '14 at 22:53

37

No. ngrok only tunnels traffic, so it can't actually serve the HTML file for you.

You can, however, serve a directory of files very easily. One of the quickest ways to start a server is with python. From the command line, cd to the directory containing your HTML files and run:

$ python -m SimpleHTTPServer

Or for python3 (not installed by default on OS X):

$ python -m http.server

Then, in another terminal, run ngrok.

answered May 02 '14 at 22:53

ford

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In your first example, is "SimpleHTTPServer" the name of the directory or part of the command? – user3473819 May 02 '14 at 23:02
It is part of the command. It runs the python [SimpleHTTPServer](https://docs.python.org/2/library/simplehttpserver.html). – ford May 02 '14 at 23:15
Can I do the same with, instead of a directory, a single file? – user3473819 May 03 '14 at 18:05
Sure, just put only the single file in the directory and name it `index.html`. – ford May 03 '14 at 19:00
Could I do the same with, instead of a HTML file, an audio or other media file? – user3473819 May 03 '14 at 22:18
Absolutely. Don't be afraid to just try stuff out! – ford May 05 '14 at 14:08
I mean, could I have the webpage open to an audio file instead of a "Directory Listing for /" page with the audio as a subpage? – user3473819 May 10 '14 at 01:55
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It sounds like you should ask a new question about this specifically. – ford May 10 '14 at 14:57

Zach · Answer 2 · 2022-11-18T19:40:38.097

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Yes. ngrok now has a built-in fileserver. https://ngrok.com/docs/secure-tunnels/tunnels/http-tunnels#file-url

Their example command Linux/mac:

ngrok http -auth="user:password" file:///Users/alan/share

Windows:

ngrok http -auth="user:password" "file:///C:\Users\alan\share"

This will create an HTTP server with a basic auth username and password, sharing all files in the directory /Users/alan/share.

edited Nov 18 '22 at 19:40

answered Oct 24 '19 at 19:09

Zach

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what is the correct way to point the directory in Windows? I tried file://C:/app/asd but nothing happend – Roy Ryando Apr 20 '20 at 14:41
@RoyHabeahan Great question. I've updated my answer in response. – Zach Apr 21 '20 at 21:15
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updated docs link: https://ngrok.com/docs/secure-tunnels#http-tunnels-file-urls – nth-child May 23 '22 at 23:54
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Updated docs link: https://ngrok.com/docs/secure-tunnels/tunnels/http-tunnels#file-url – Adam Lindberg Nov 17 '22 at 11:50

Ali Alavizadeh · Answer 3 · 2022-04-11T19:15:22.767

thanks to Zach that explained above the file directory of ngrok

When you want to server HTML files on ngrok after you run command

ngrok http <port_number>

You go to <your_ngrok_address>:

http://your_ngrok_adress.ngrok.io

You go to the page that in the top section of it, if you haven't configured your ngrok auth_token there is this message to sign-up into free account to server HTML files, click the link for sign-up.

After you signed up, you'll be redirected to your dashboard which explained below command to run:

ngrok authtoken <your_auth_token>

After you run the above command then run the first command again:

ngrok http "file:///<your_html file location/direcoty>"

there you'll se your files directory, navigate through them to reach your HTML file/directory (if neccessary) there it'll serve them for you.

score 0 · Answer 4 · edited May 22 '23 at 03:43

To forward to a local file:/// URL, first create an account at ngrok: https://dashboard.ngrok.com/signup

Your auth token will be available on your dashboard at https://dashboard.ngrok.com/get-started/your-authtoken

Add the ngrok auth token to your machine using:

ngrok config add-authtoken <YOUR_NGROK_AUTH_TOKEN>

Then start the ngrok server:

ngrok http <FILE_PATH_OF_FOLDER>

e.g.,

ngrok http file:///Users/some_user/Desktop/

Your local file will get forwarded to the forwarding URL through ngrok. Go to your forwarding URL to look at the files.

How to host an HTML file with ngrok?

4 Answers4

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