# Local Dev Stack with Make and Caddy

> Run full local stacks offline with automatic TLS via Caddy reverse proxy

This development setup pattern wraps your entire project stack and dependencies into a single 'make dev' command designed to work fully offline. Pairing it with Caddy as a local reverse proxy maps services to clean .localhost subdomains with automatic HTTPS.

## How it works

1) Wrap your whole stack in a \`make dev\` command: spins up the entire stack and dependencies locally, works offline. 2) Use Caddy as a reverse proxy to support \`.localhost\` domains with TLS — e.g. userjot.localhost shown in the screenshot. Author: @ImSh4yy, building userjot.com.

## What it is for

- Spin up multi-service application stacks with a single terminal command
- Develop web applications locally without an active internet connection
- Test HTTPS and cookie-based authentication using local TLS certificates
- Isolate microservices behind clean named subdomains instead of distinct port numbers

## Key points

- Single command execution via Makefile to orchestrate all local services
- Complete offline functionality for core application dependencies
- Caddy reverse proxy integration to route to .localhost domains
- Automatic local TLS certificate generation without manual trust setup
- Realistic browser-environment testing matching production-like routing

## Pricing

Free

## Details

- Type: Tip
- Category: [Development](https://xiry.app/topics/development.md)
- Open source: yes
- Platforms: Command line, macOS, Linux, Windows
- For: Full-stack software engineers and indie hackers
- Alternative to: ngrok, traefik, docker compose
- Tags: caddy, makefile, local development, https, devops, tls

## Why it was saved

- [@ImSh4yy, 30 May 2025](https://x.com/ImSh4yy/status/1928542726036844906): One command spins up everything, works without internet, and gives realistic HTTPS domains per service during development.

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Updated 11 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/local-dev-stack-with-make-and-caddy

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