Create your first .local address

Requirements

You need a responding HTTP service on your Mac and helper permission for local routing. This example assumes your own app runs on localhost:3000; LocalTR does not start that app for you.

Steps

1. Open your development server's direct address in a browser. If that fails, fix the application first.
2. Add a local domain in LocalTR. Choose a memorable name such as shop.local and the port your app actually listens on, for example 3000.
3. If macOS requests helper approval, review the request for local address routing and approve it to continue.
4. Try http://shop.local first. Complete certificate trust setup separately if you want HTTPS.
5. Add another service with a different name and its actual port. For example, api.local can point to 8080.

shop.local → proxy on your Mac → localhost:3000
api.local  → proxy on your Mac → localhost:8080

Expected result

The local name opens the same application as the direct port address. Local naming does not attach an internet domain you own or create a public DNS record. Your Mac's hosts configuration does not propagate to other devices.

Troubleshooting

If the wrong application opens, inspect the port mapping. A refused connection can mean the service stopped or moved to another port. If the name does not resolve, check the helper and local record state. A phone on the same network can have separate DNS, multicast, firewall or certificate issues. Success on your Mac does not establish trust on your phone.