Pipenet

What it does

Pipenet is a modern alternative to Localtunnel that exposes local servers to the internet. It supports HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, SSE, and HTTP streaming. Pipenet can be used as a client to create tunnels to a public or self-hosted server, or as a server to run your own tunnel infrastructure. It provides a simple CLI and a programmatic API for integration into tools and workflows.

Who it is for

Pipenet is designed for developers who need to share local servers with teammates, test webhooks, demo work without deploying, or embed tunneling capabilities in their own tools. It is also suitable for teams that want to run their own tunnel server for full control over security, domains, and availability.

Why it matters

Localtunnel has been a popular tool for exposing local servers, but its maintenance is limited and it lacks modern features. Pipenet addresses these shortcomings with active maintenance, TypeScript support, ES Modules, multiple domain support, and cloud-friendly single-port deployment. It provides a drop-in replacement with additional capabilities for modern development environments.

Launch signal

Pipenet was launched on Hacker News as a Show HN post titled "Pipenet – A Modern Alternative to Localtunnel". The project is created by punkpeye and is available on npm. The website provides documentation, quick start guides, and comparison with Localtunnel.

Brand and naming

The name "Pipenet" suggests a network of pipes, evoking the idea of tunneling and connecting local and remote systems. It is short, memorable, and directly conveys the product's purpose. The branding positions it as a modern, developer-friendly tool with a focus on simplicity and extensibility.