Caddy is a lightweight, general-purpose web server for Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD, and [Android](https://github.com/mholt/caddy/wiki/Running-Caddy-on-Android). It is a capable alternative to other popular web servers that is easy to use.
The most notable features are HTTP/2, Virtual Hosts, TLS + SNI, and easy configuration with a [Caddyfile](https://caddyserver.com/docs/caddyfile). Usually, you have one Caddyfile per site. Most directives for the Caddyfile invoke a layer of middleware which can be [used in your own Go programs](https://github.com/mholt/caddy/wiki/Using-Caddy-Middleware-in-Your-Own-Programs).
If you're tinkering, you can also use `go run main.go`.
By default, Caddy serves the current directory at [localhost:2015](http://localhost:2015). You can place a Caddyfile to configure Caddy for serving your site.
Run `caddy` from that directory, and it will automatically use that Caddyfile to configure itself.
That simple file enables compression, allows directory browsing (for folders without an index file), serves clean URLs, hosts an echo server for WebSocket connections at /echo, logs accesses to access.log, and adds the coveted `Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *` header for all responses from some API.
Note that the secure host will automatically be served with HTTP/2 if the client supports it.
For more documentation, please view [the website](https://caddyserver.com/docs). You may also be interested in the [developer guide](https://github.com/mholt/caddy/wiki) on this project's GitHub wiki.
**[Join us on Slack](https://gophers.slack.com/messages/caddy/)** to chat with other Caddy developers! ([Request an invite](http://bit.ly/go-slack-signup), then join the #caddy channel.)
This project gladly accepts contributions. Interested users are encouraged to get involved by opening issues with their ideas, questions, and bug reports. Bug reports should contain clear instructions to reproduce the problem and state expected behavior.
For small tweaks and bug fixes, feel free to submit pull requests at any time. For new features or to change existing behavior, please open an issue first to discuss it and claim it. This prevents overlapping efforts and also keeps the project in-line with its goals.
Caddy was born out of the need for a "batteries-included" web server that runs anywhere and doesn't have to take its configuration with it. Caddy took inspiration from nginx, lighttpd, Websocketd, and Vagrant, and provides a pleasant mixture of features from each of them.