Expose Localhost via MorphVM (Reverse SSH)
Tunnel laptop localhost: to a MorphVM with ssh -R, then expose that VM port to get a public URL.
How it works
[Your laptop] localhost:8000 -> (ssh -R) -> [MorphVM] 0.0.0.0:8000 -> Expose HTTP Service -> public URL
Prerequisites
- A running instance (e.g.,
morphvm_XXXX) - SSH key configured for your account
- A local app listening on a port (examples use
8000)
1) Create the reverse tunnel (run on your laptop)
Use ssh -R to bind a port on your MorphVM that forwards to your laptop’s localhost:
ssh -N -R 0.0.0.0:8000:127.0.0.1:8000 morphvm_XXXX@ssh.cloud.morph.so
Optional resilient variant (reconnects automatically on flaky networks):
autossh -M 0 -o ServerAliveInterval=30 -o ServerAliveCountMax=3 -N -R 0.0.0.0:8000:127.0.0.1:8000 morphvm_XXXX@ssh.cloud.morph.so
2) Publish that VM port as a URL
Expose the MorphVM port to the internet with an authenticated HTTP Service.
- CLI
- Python
- TypeScript
morphcloud instance expose-http morphvm_XXXX local-8000 8000 --auth-mode api_key
from morphcloud.api import MorphCloudClient
client = MorphCloudClient()
instance = client.instances.get("morphvm_XXXX")
svc = instance.expose_http_service(name="local-8000", port=8000, auth_mode="api_key")
print(svc.url)
import { MorphCloudClient } from 'morphcloud';
const client = new MorphCloudClient();
const instance = await client.instances.get({ instance_id: "morphvm_XXXX" });
const svc = await instance.exposeHttpService("local-8000", 8000, "api_key");
console.log(svc.url);
Note: When auth_mode=api_key, call the URL with Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY.
Tips
- TTL pause drops the tunnel; enable Wake-on-SSH or Wake-on-HTTP.
- Prefer
127.0.0.1as the destination in-Rfor clarity and security. - Use
api_keyauth for webhooks and dev previews.
Troubleshooting
- 502 or timeout: ensure your
ssh -Rorautosshprocess is running. - Port already in use: pick another remote port (e.g.,
8001). - Paused VM: enable Wake-on-HTTP/SSH, then retry.