# Caddy

> Manage local development proxies using Caddy server's Admin API. Use when users need to allocate localhost ports, create reverse proxies for local dev servers, track which ports are in use across Claude Code sessions, or access apps via friendly URLs like myapp.localhost. Triggers on "set up a proxy", "allocate a port", "what's running on localhost", "register my app", or any Caddy configuration task.

- Skill: `muninn-huginn/caddy` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add muninn-huginn/caddy`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/muninn-huginn/caddy/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: muninn-huginn (https://skillmd.com/u/muninn-huginn)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/muninn-huginn/caddy

---


# Caddy Local Proxy Manager

Manage local development reverse proxies via Caddy's Admin API at `localhost:2019`.

## Session Naming

When registering a proxy, use one of these approaches:
1. **User provides name**: Use exactly what they specify
2. **Generate from context**: Use project directory name + short random suffix (e.g., `myapp-x7k2`)

Example generation:
```bash
NAME="$(basename "$PWD" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | sed 's/[^a-z0-9]/-/g')-$(head -c4 /dev/urandom | xxd -p | head -c4)"
```

## Quick Reference

| Task | Command |
|------|---------|
| Check status | `curl -sf http://localhost:2019/config/` |
| List routes | `curl -sf http://localhost:2019/config/apps/http/servers/local_proxies/routes` |
| Add route | `POST /config/apps/http/servers/local_proxies/routes` |
| Delete route | `DELETE /id/proxy_<name>` |

## Workflows

### Check Caddy Status

```bash
curl -sf http://localhost:2019/config/ 2>/dev/null
```

If fails: "Caddy not running. Install: `brew install caddy`, Start: `caddy start`"

### List All Proxies

```bash
curl -sf http://localhost:2019/config/apps/http/servers/local_proxies/routes 2>/dev/null
```

Display as table: Name | URL | Backend

### Register a Proxy

1. **Get or generate name** (ask user or generate from project + random)

2. **Find available port** (if not specified):
```bash
for port in $(seq 3000 3100); do
  lsof -i :$port > /dev/null 2>&1 || { echo $port; break; }
done
```

3. **Initialize server if needed**:
```bash
curl -sf http://localhost:2019/config/apps/http/servers/local_proxies > /dev/null 2>&1 || \
curl -sf -X POST http://localhost:2019/load \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"apps":{"http":{"servers":{"local_proxies":{"listen":[":80"],"routes":[]}}}}}'
```

4. **Add route** (replace NAME and PORT):
```bash
curl -sf -X POST "http://localhost:2019/config/apps/http/servers/local_proxies/routes" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"@id":"proxy_NAME","match":[{"host":["NAME.localhost"]}],"handle":[{"handler":"reverse_proxy","upstreams":[{"dial":"localhost:PORT"}]}],"terminal":true}'
```

5. **Report**: "Registered: http://NAME.localhost → localhost:PORT"

### Remove a Proxy

```bash
curl -sf -X DELETE "http://localhost:2019/id/proxy_NAME"
```

### Update a Proxy

Delete then re-add with new port.

## Route JSON Structure

```json
{
  "@id": "proxy_<name>",
  "match": [{"host": ["<name>.localhost"]}],
  "handle": [{"handler": "reverse_proxy", "upstreams": [{"dial": "localhost:<port>"}]}],
  "terminal": true
}
```

## Error Handling

| Error | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| Caddy not running | `brew install caddy && caddy start` |
| Port 80 denied | `sudo caddy start` |
| Route exists | Ask to update or pick different name |

## Platform Notes

- **macOS**: `*.localhost` resolves to 127.0.0.1 automatically
- **Linux**: May need `/etc/hosts` entries