LANserve

A lightweight local file server with a clean browser UI — browse, upload, and delete files over your WiFi network from any device.

No dependencies. No config. Just run it.

Install

pip install lanserve

Quick start

lanserve

That's it. Open the printed URL in any browser on your network:

 LANserve running!
   Local:   http://localhost:8080
   Network: http://192.168.x.x:8080
   Serving: /your/current/directory

On mobile, open the Network URL. On desktop, use either.

Features

• Browse your file system from any device on the same network
• Upload files via drag-and-drop or file picker, with a real-time progress bar
• Delete files directly from the UI
• Choose upload folder from a dropdown
• File type icons and human-readable file sizes
• Threaded — large uploads don't freeze browsing
• Optional access code — lock uploads/deletes behind a shared code, browsing stays open
• Zero external dependencies — Python 3.8+ standard library only

Usage

lanserve [options]

Options:
  --port PORT, -p PORT    Port to listen on        (default: 8080)
  --dir DIR,  -d DIR      Directory to serve        (default: current directory)
  --host HOST             Address to bind to        (default: 0.0.0.0)
  --code CODE, -c CODE    Access code for uploads/deletes (default: none, disabled)
  --version, -v           Show version and exit

Examples

# Serve a specific folder
lanserve --dir ~/Downloads

# Use a different port
lanserve --port 9000

# Serve Downloads on port 9000
lanserve --dir ~/Downloads --port 9000

# Require a code before anyone can upload or delete
lanserve --code mySecret123

Access codes

By default, anyone on the network can browse, upload, and delete — no login required.

If you want to lock down uploads and deletes while keeping browsing open, start LANserve with --code:

lanserve --code mySecret123

• Browsing files still works for anyone on the network, no code needed.
• The first upload or delete from a device will prompt for the code.
• Once entered correctly, that device gets a signed, HttpOnly session cookie (valid for the rest of the session) so it won't be asked again.
• The code and any active sessions reset every time you restart the server.

This isn't meant to be strong authentication for hostile networks — it's a lightweight gate against "oops, someone accidentally deleted my files" on a shared WiFi.

Run without installing

git clone https://github.com/Dev-syphax/lanserve.git
cd lanserve
python -m lanserve

Security

LANserve is designed for trusted local networks only (home, office LAN, dev WiFi).

• Without --code, there is no authentication — anyone on the network can browse, upload, and delete files.
• With --code, uploads and deletes require the code; browsing is still open to everyone.
• DELETE requests are path-traversal protected — files outside the served directory cannot be deleted.
• Do not expose this server to the public internet.

Requirements

• Python 3.8 or newer
• No dependencies (bundled with Python standard library)

Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md.

License

MIT