lcl.host

lcl.host is a tool that gives developers HTTPS for their local development environment. Instead of working with 'http://localhost', you can run your app on a secure, custom domain like 'your-app.lcl.host'. This is essential for testing features that require a secure context, such as payment processing, authentication flows, or third-party webhooks that only work over HTTPS.

It works by installing a command-line tool. After running a couple of commands, lcl.host provisions the necessary SSL certificates and configures your system to trust them. You can choose between an automatic, managed setup that handles renewals for you or a manual, mkcert-style approach. A key advantage is its team-friendly design; once configured, the setup works for everyone on the team, eliminating individual certificate headaches.

This tool is most useful for developers building web applications, especially those integrating services like Stripe, OAuth providers, or any API that enforces HTTPS. It simplifies a traditionally complex part of the development process, letting developers focus on building features instead of wrestling with local SSL configuration.