How to Host a Junkbox Server (Windows & macOS)

Follow the instructions below to host your own Junkbox server. The setup process is slightly different for Windows and Mac users, but both are straightforward if you follow each step carefully.

Step 1: Download and Extract the Server

1. Download the server.zip file from the official source.

2. Extract the folder to your Desktop (or any other preferred directory).

Inside the folder, you’ll see several files, including server.js and server.bat.

Windows Instructions

1. Install Node.js
   Download the Windows installer directly:
   https://nodejs.org/dist/v22.16.0/node-v22.16.0-x64.msi

2. Install LocalTunnel
   Open Command Prompt and run the following command:
   npm install -g localtunnel

3. Start the Server
   Simply double-click server.bat. This will start your local server and initialize a tunnel using LocalTunnel.

4. Optional: Set a Custom Subdomain
   To customize your public server link, open server.bat in a text editor and replace:
   lt --port 8765
   with:
   lt --port 3000 --subdomain yoursubdomainhere

macOS Instructions

1. Install Node.js
   Use the following direct link to download the macOS installer:
   https://nodejs.org/dist/v22.16.0/node-v22.16.0.pkg

2. Install LocalTunnel
   Open Terminal and run:
   sudo npm install -g localtunnel
   You may be prompted to enter your Mac administrator password.

3. Start the Server
   Navigate to the folder where you extracted the server:
   cd ~/Desktop/Junkbox

Then start the server:
node server.js

1. Run LocalTunnel
   In a new Terminal window, enter:
   lt --port 3000

2. Optional: Use a Custom Subdomain
   Instead of the above command, use:
   lt --port 3000 --subdomain yoursubdomainhere

Connecting and Sharing

After launching the server and running LocalTunnel, you’ll receive a public URL such as:
https://yoursubdomain.loca.lt

You can share this URL with others. To test if the server is live, paste the URL into any modern web browser.

The connection should complete within 5–30 seconds. Avoid repeatedly refreshing or spamming the connect button, as this may slow down the process or cause delays.

Notes

• Ensure that the Junkbox server is running before executing the LocalTunnel command.

• If you receive errors about missing commands, confirm that Node.js and LocalTunnel are properly installed.

• If your chosen subdomain is already in use, try another unique name.