In 2018, I set out to address a pressing issue faced by developers and tech enthusiasts worldwide. When the beloved tool hosts.cx unexpectedly closed its doors, it left a void in the community. This service had been a go-to platform for hosting sysadmins to temporary previews of websites, a vital resource for developers needing to showcase projects without deploying them fully. Recognizing the absence of a good alternative, I’ve decided to create a similar tool for the community, and thus, Hosts.click was born.

The Birth of Hosts.click

The idea behind Hosts.click was simple yet powerful: create a free and reliable platform that would emulate the functionality of hosts.cx while improving upon its features. Yehoshua worked tirelessly to design a tool that would be user-friendly, efficient, and accessible to all and new browser addons. By late 2018, Hosts.click was live, quickly gaining traction among developers who appreciated its simplicity and functionality.

The platform allowed users to create temporary URLs for showcasing websites, enabling seamless collaboration and feedback. Its minimalist design and reliable performance became the hallmark of its early success. Over the years, Hosts.click developed a loyal user base, solidifying its position as a valuable resource in the developer toolkit.

The Code Rewrite of 2022

As technology evolved and user demands grew, Yehoshua recognized the need to modernize the platform. By 2022, Hosts.click underwent a significant transformation with a comprehensive code rewrite. This overhaul aimed to improve performance, enhance security, and introduce new features that aligned with contemporary web development needs.

The 2022 rewrite brought several improvements:

• Optimized Performance: Faster load times and smoother operations made the platform more efficient.
• Enhanced Security: Robust measures were implemented to ensure user data and previews remained secure.
• Scalability: The updated architecture allowed the platform to handle a growing user base with ease.

This modernization effort underscored our commitment to maintaining Hosts.click as a cutting-edge tool for the developer community.

Looking Ahead in 2024

Now in 2024, Hosts.click has done a lot of rewrite to adjust to modern browsers, we’ve removed the old cookies mechanism and introduced subdomains. continues to thrive, remaining completely free to use. Its success is a testament to Yehoshua Vaknin’s vision and dedication to filling the gap left by hosts.cx. The platform has become a cornerstone for developers, offering an indispensable service that empowers creativity and collaboration.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a newcomer to the field, Hosts.click continues to be the go-to platform for temporary website previews, ensuring that the spirit of innovation and collaboration lives on.