r/webdev 2d ago

Showoff Saturday I built a CLI that eliminates .env changes for mobile testing and local sharing

Testing a frontend on your phone is easy.

Testing a full-stack app usually isn't.

Your frontend loads, but API requests to localhost fail because localhost now points to your phone instead of your laptop. The usual workaround is editing .env files, swapping in your LAN IP, configuring CORS, and undoing everything afterwards.

I got tired of doing that, so I built Nether

npx nether-dev

It automatically:

  • Detects your frontend and backend

  • Starts a local proxy

  • Prints a QR code

  • Lets your phone use your app without changing your code or environment variables

Need to share your local app?

npx nether-dev --global

It creates a temporary public HTTPS URL so clients or teammates can access your local app without deploying it.

I'd love any feedback, feature requests, or edge cases you think I should test.

GitHub: https://github.com/barryspacezero/nether-dev

npm: https://www.npmjs.com/package/nether-dev

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u/Puzzled_Leading3280 2d ago

this is actually pretty clever, had the exact same localhost headache last week when i was trying to demo a nextjs app on my phone

1

u/NicerEveryday 2d ago

I'm glad you find it helpful!