Localhost Automate

Converts file URLs to http://localhost for developer testing purposes
What is Localhost Automate?
Localhost Automate is a handy Chrome extension designed to streamline the workflow for developers. It automatically converts file URLs to http://localhost which nullifies the need to manually switch from file:// to http://localhost. It is particularly useful for developers who work on their localhost server before uploading their project to the WWW. To function, this extension needs the path to your localhost folder. Afterward, any file you open within this folder will automatically load using the http://localhost protocol.

Extension stats

By: Tal Koren
Users: 1,000+
Rating: 4.17 (12)
Version: 1.1 (Last updated: 2018-04-28)
Creation date: 2018-04-27
Risk impact: Low risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • storage
Size: 88.04K

Other platforms

Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

As a developer working under his Localhost server before uploading a project to the WWW, I've encountered one issue that always wastes 3-4 seconds of my workflow.

After opening a web document, whether if its an html file, php file or anything else, Google Chrome opens it under file:// protocol instead of http://, resulting in developers clicking on the address bar just to switch to http://localhost.

Localhost Automate is what solves it.

Localhost Automate provides an easier, more comfortable way to tell the browser to get the http://localhost up there instead of file://, as long as the web document is in the preconfigured folder.

Localhost Automate requires a valid path to your localhost folder (ie. d:\wwwroot), so afterwards, if you're opening a file under 'd:\wwwroot\Some_Project', the extension would redirect it to 'http://localhost/Some_Project'.

Comments, bugs and suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy :)

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Super handy app for drag and drop file usage in the browser.
  • Useful for localhost testing.
  • Easy to configure for basic use cases.
Cons
  • Issues with configuration on Mac systems.
  • Error messages like ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED are common.
  • Limited ability to add multiple localhost directories.
Most mentioned
  • Not working on Mac.
  • Configuration issues and errors.
  • Request for multiple directory support.
Recent reviews
Hi, I've got an issue, here is my configuration: environment: windows 10 file: "L:/Temp/file.html" Local directory: "L:/Temp" Localhost URL: "localhost" when I open "http://localhost/file.html" I have an error ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED. I don't understand, I tried to configure the firewall but without success
by clément borderies, 2021-07-22

Doesn't work on Mac.
by Mostafa Rahmani, 2021-05-27

Not able to add localhost folder, no error, no message, just not working.
by Michael Yuan, 2019-10-20
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Localhost Automate requires very minimum permissions.

Risk likelihood

Localhost Automate has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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