localhost:
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localhost vs devglow, DevWebUI

devglow and DevWebUI are other GUIs for local dev servers. How localhost compares: MIT license, Linux packages, and an MCP server agents install with npx.

Other GUIs for local dev servers. devglow is a paid desktop app ($9.99 lifetime after a 7-day trial) for macOS and Windows. DevWebUI is a control panel served from a local daemon, under a noncommercial license, reading a .devwebui file in the repository.

Where devglow, DevWebUI win

  • Both have an MCP server for coding agents: devglow’s runs with npx devglow-mcp, DevWebUI’s with Bun from its source checkout or as devwebui mcp. localhost’s installs the same way: npx @getlocalhost/cli mcp install connects Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and Claude Desktop (the app must be installed), and any other stdio MCP client can run localhost mcp.
  • DevWebUI’s .devwebui file lives in the repository, so it can be committed and shared with the code.

Where localhost fits better

  • MIT license; Linux packages (devglow has none): .deb, .rpm and AppImage.
  • Agents add, edit and remove Projects and Services through the same checks as the app’s editors, and the open app shows each change at once. Removing needs confirm: true and never touches a Project’s folder; localhost mcp --read-only leaves the editing tools out.
  • The agent sets no Secrets, reads only those of the Services it starts (and their Dependencies), and its Services stop when it disconnects unless the app is open.
  • A native SwiftUI app on macOS and one app for Linux and Windows.
  • Environment Profiles, and Secrets kept in Keychain, Secret Service or Credential Manager.

In one line

Choose devglow, DevWebUI for
DevWebUI’s config file in the repo, shared with the code
Choose localhost for
MIT license; Linux packages; agents connected from the app or npx @getlocalhost/cli mcp install, with confirmed deletes and a read-only mode

localhost is a free, open-source desktop app that runs your own commands, no Docker required, and isn’t a production or remote-server dashboard. Install it, start with the quick start, or read the guides.

Install localhost for macOS

Two quick steps, usually under a minute.

  1. Drag it to Applications

    Open localhost-0.3.0.dmg and drag localhost to Applications.

    Download localhost-0.3.0.dmg

    Or install it with Homebrew, which also puts the localhost command in your terminal:

    brew install --cask marcellosso/tap/localhost

    Or download it from Terminal, which macOS doesn’t block, so you can skip step 2:

    curl -fLO https://github.com/marcellosso/localhost/releases/download/v0.3.0/localhost-0.3.0.dmg && open localhost-0.3.0.dmg

  2. Open it the first time

    localhost isn’t notarized by Apple yet, so macOS blocks the first launch once:

    1. Click Done in the warning.
    2. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security and scroll to Security.
    3. Click Open Anyway, and confirm with your password or Touch ID.

    Or run this in Terminal, then open localhost:

    xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/localhost.app

macOS 15 or later · Apple silicon or Intel

  1. Run the installer

    Open localhost_0.3.0_x64-setup.exe. It installs for your user only, no administrator rights needed.

    Download localhost_0.3.0_x64-setup.exe

  2. Get past SmartScreen

    The installer isn’t signed by a known publisher yet, so Windows says “Windows protected your PC”:

    1. Click More info.
    2. Check that the file is localhost_0.3.0_x64-setup.exe.
    3. Click Run anyway.

Windows 10 or 11 · x64 · WSL 2 for Projects in WSL

  1. Download your package

    Ubuntu, Debian.debFedora.rpmAny distroAppImage

  2. Install it

    From the folder you downloaded it to:

    sudo apt install ./localhost-app_0.3.0_amd64.deb
    sudo dnf install ./localhost-app-0.3.0-1.x86_64.rpm
    chmod +x localhost-app_0.3.0_amd64.AppImage && ./localhost-app_0.3.0_amd64.AppImage

    Secrets need a Secret Service (GNOME Keyring, KWallet). On stock GNOME the tray icon needs the AppIndicator extension.

x86_64 · Ubuntu 22.04+ · Debian 12+ · Fedora

On another system?Install guide →