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doorman

Install on macOS

You need a Mac with Apple Silicon or Intel, a terminal, and a working development project. Install your project’s runtime and dependencies separately; Doorman does not install Node.js or your package manager.

1. Install the app and CLI

Section titled “1. Install the app and CLI”
Terminal window
curl -fsSL https://getdoorman.dev/install.sh | sh

The installer downloads the latest universal release, checks its SHA-256, installs Doorman.app in /Applications, and links the CLI into ~/.local/bin. It adds that directory to your shell’s PATH if needed.

The installer also opens the Doorman macOS app. You get two ways to work:

  • The CLI starts your dev servers and gives them named HTTPS URLs.
  • The macOS app shows your registered routes and running projects, with branch context and a live request inspector.

An empty app is normal on a fresh installation. Projects appear when you start them with doorman or register an existing server with doorman add; Doorman does not scan your computer for projects. You can reopen the app from Applications or Spotlight at any time.

Open a new terminal if doorman is not found after installation.

2. Set up trusted HTTPS

Section titled “2. Set up trusted HTTPS”
Terminal window
doorman setup

Approve the keychain prompt to trust the certificate authority created on your machine. Setup also finishes any custom domains already registered. You do not need a custom domain to use .localhost.

Each teammate does this on their own computer. Never copy a teammate’s certificate authority or private key.

3. Check the installation

Section titled “3. Check the installation”
Terminal window
doorman --version
doorman doctor

Doctor reports the daemon, ports, HTTPS trust, DNS, domains, and routes. An empty route list is expected before starting your first app.

Optionally start Doorman at login:

Terminal window
doorman service install

Installer options

Section titled “Installer options”
Variable Purpose
DOORMAN_VERSION Pin a release, for example 0.2.0
DOORMAN_INSTALL_DIR Change the app installation directory
DOORMAN_BIN_DIR Change the CLI link directory
DOORMAN_NO_MODIFY_PATH=1 Keep shell profiles untouched
DOORMAN_NO_LAUNCH=1 Skip opening the desktop app

For a pinned install, set the variable on the installer process:

Terminal window
curl -fsSL https://getdoorman.dev/install.sh | DOORMAN_VERSION=0.2.0 sh

Use a version that exists in GitHub Releases. For local builds, see build from source.

Next: Run your first app.