How to Share Localhost Without Port Forwarding

A local development server is easy to open on the computer where it is running. The moment you want to test it on a phone, show it to someone remotely, or receive a webhook, things become less convenient.

The usual alternatives include changing router settings, deploying an unfinished build, or manually configuring a tunnel. All of them add work that has little to do with the feature you are building.

Ghostly Share takes a simpler approach: it discovers local web apps and lets you share them either on your trusted local network or through a temporary public link.

Choose the right kind of link

Ghostly Share offers two independent sharing modes. You can use either one, or keep both active for the same local app when your workflow needs it.

LAN sharing

Use LAN sharing when the other device is connected to the same trusted network. It is a good fit for:

• testing a responisve site on a phone or tablet;
• opening a dashboard on another computer;
• checking a web interface on a TV or embedded device;
• keeping a test completely inside your network.

LAN sharing does not require Cloudflare or an internet connection. The link is intentionally not password-protected, so only use it on a network you trust.

Public sharing

Use a public link when the other person or service is somewhere else. Typical examples include:

• sending a work-in-progress demo to a client;
• testing a webhook callback;
• sharing a preview with a remote teammate;
• opening a local app while away from the development machine.

A temporary public link does not require a Ghostly Share account, a domain, or an API token. Anyone who receives the URL may try to open it, so enable password protection or an expiration time when appropriate.

Share a local app from the desktop

1. Start your local website, API, dashboard, or development server.
2. Open Ghostly Share and wait for the app to appear automatically.
3. Select LAN for another device on the same network, or Public for an internet link.
4. Start sharing.
5. Copy the URL or open its QR code on another device.

Keep Ghostly Share and the local app running while the link is in use. Stop sharing when the test or demo is finished.

Use the CLI

The optional ghs command-line tool is useful for terminals, servers, and scripts.

ghs scan
ghs lan 5173
ghs share 5173

Both sharing commands remain active until you press Ctrl+C. If several discovered apps use the same port, pass the exact local URL instead of only the port.

A quick safety checklist

Before sharing, check that:

• the app does not expose secrets or customer data;
• private admin panels and databases remain inaccessible;
• LAN sharing is used only on a trusted network;
• public links use a password or expiration when needed;
• sharing is stopped as soon as the test is complete.

Get Ghostly Share

Ghostly Share is availabe as a desktop app for Windows and Linux. A separate CLI is available for terminal workflows.

• Download the latest release
• Install from the Microsoft Store
• Read the user guide

No router configuration is required. Start the local app, choose the right sharing mode, and send the link.