Registry / web-framework / grunt-http-server

grunt-http-server

library2.1.0jsnpmunverified

grunt-http-server is a Grunt task designed to serve static files from within a Grunt build process. It allows developers to quickly set up a local HTTP or HTTPS server for development and testing purposes. The package, currently at version 2.1.0 (last published in 2015), offers features such as serving files from a specified root directory, configurable ports and hosts, caching, directory listing, automatic index file serving, custom file extensions, and a proxying capability for requests not resolved locally. It also supports HTTPS with custom certificates and allows opening a browser automatically. Its primary differentiation lies in its integration with the Grunt ecosystem, providing a task-based approach to running a simple web server, unlike modern standalone CLI tools or bundler-specific development servers. The project has not seen updates since 2016, indicating it is no longer actively maintained.

web-framework http-networking devops

npm install grunt-http-server

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · GRUNT-HTTP-SERVER

grunt-http-server

web-frameworkjavascriptv2.1.0

Install

—

Import

—

Disk

—

Pass rate

0/ 6

Env Coverage0 / 6

glibc

18–22

musl

18–22

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v? · npm install

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

node 18–226 runs

build_error

glibc

node 18–226 runs

build_error

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

grunt-http-server

✓ grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-http-server');

✗ import { 'http-server' } from 'grunt-http-server'; // OR const http_server = require('grunt-http-server');

This package is a Grunt plugin that registers the `http-server` multi-task. It is not directly imported as a JavaScript module but loaded via Grunt's plugin system within your Gruntfile.js.

http-server task configuration

✓ grunt.initConfig({ 'http-server': { 'dev': { root: 'dist', port: 8080 } } });

The `http-server` task is configured as a multi-task within your Gruntfile's `initConfig` object after being loaded with `loadNpmTasks`.

This quickstart demonstrates how to configure and run a basic static HTTP server using `grunt-http-server` within a Gruntfile, serving files from a 'dist' directory, enabling HTTPS, and opening a browser automatically.

module.exports = function(grunt) { grunt.initConfig({ 'http-server': { 'dev': { // the server root directory root: 'dist', // Assume 'dist' is your build output folder // the server port port: 8282, // the host ip address host: '0.0.0.0', cache: 0, // No caching for dev showDir: true, autoIndex: true, ext: 'html', runInBackground: false, logFn: function(req, res, error) {}, // proxy: 'http://someurl.com', https: { cert: 'path/to/cert.pem', // Replace with your actual cert path key : 'path/to/key.pem' // Replace with your actual key path }, openBrowser : true, customPages: { '/readme': 'README.md' } } } }); // Load the plugin that provides the 'http-server' task. grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-http-server'); // Default task. grunt.registerTask('default', ['http-server:dev']); };

Debug

Known issues

gotchaThe `grunt-http-server` package is abandoned and no longer maintained. Its last update was in 2016. Using it may introduce compatibility issues with modern Node.js versions and lacks ongoing security patches. It is not recommended for new projects or production environments.

fix

Consider migrating to actively maintained static server solutions like `http-server` (CLI), `serve`, `browsersync`, `webpack-dev-server`, or `vite` for better compatibility, features, and security.

affects: >=2.1.0

gotchaThis package was developed for older Node.js versions (>=0.8.0). It may exhibit unexpected behavior, throw errors, or fail to run entirely on modern Node.js runtimes (e.g., Node.js 16+ or 18+).

fix

Thoroughly test on your target Node.js version. If issues arise, migration to a more current static server solution is highly recommended.

affects: >=2.1.0

gotchaAs an unmaintained package, `grunt-http-server` has not received security updates since 2016. It may contain unpatched vulnerabilities, particularly concerning path traversal, directory listing exploits, or other common web server security flaws. Avoid using it in production environments or with untrusted content.

fix

Migrate to actively maintained static server solutions with a strong security track record to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

affects: >=2.1.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

Warning: Task "http-server:dev" not found.

The Grunt task was not loaded correctly, or the task name in `registerTask` does not match the configured task.

fix

Ensure `grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-http-server');` is present in your Gruntfile.js and that the task name used in `grunt.registerTask` (e.g., 'http-server:dev') matches your configuration.

Error: listen EADDRINUSE: address already in use :::8080

The specified `port` (e.g., 8080) in the `http-server` configuration is already in use by another application or process on your system.

fix

Change the `port` option in your `http-server` configuration to an available port number (e.g., 8000, 9000), or identify and terminate the process currently using that port.

Server started at http://0.0.0.0:8282, but files are not loading or return 404.

The `root` path specified in the `http-server` configuration does not correctly point to the directory containing your static files.

fix

Verify that the `root` option in your `http-server` configuration specifies the correct absolute or relative path to your static asset directory, relative to your Gruntfile.js.

Upgrade

Version history

2.1.0latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

gruntrequiredRequired peer dependency for this Grunt task to function.

Agent activity

13 hits · last 30 days

node

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/divhide/node-grunt-http-server ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/grunt-http-server ↗

homepagehttp://divhide.com ↗