# https://tunnels.io/get-started

Get started

# Let's set up your first tunnel

Answer a few quick questions. We will show you exactly what to install, what to run, and which plan fits, then put your local app online at a public address.

Already know your way around? Skip to the commands

Your machine

localhost

Tunnels.io

Tunnel server

Your public address

`tunnels.host`

Step 1 1 / 9

## What computer are you on?

This is the machine running the app you want to share.

Windows PC or laptop macOS iMac, MacBook, Mac mini Linux Desktop or server

## What do you want to share?

Pick the thing on your machine you want reachable from the internet.

A website or web app A local site on a port like 3000 or 8080 (HTTP/HTTPS) Remote desktop to Windows RDP, over a TCP tunnel Remote shell to Linux SSH, over a TCP tunnel A database or TCP service Postgres, Redis, a message queue, a VPN, and more

## Command line or desktop app?

Both do the same job. Pick whichever feels comfortable.

Command line (CLI) One command in a terminal. Works on every OS. Desktop app (GUI) Click to connect. Available on macOS today.

The desktop app is coming soon for Windows and Linux. We will set you up with the CLI for now, it is just as quick.

## Install the CLI

Copy this into your terminal and run it once.

`curl -fsSL https://tunnels.io/install.sh | bash``

The macOS build is signed and notarized by Apple, so it should open straight away. If you moved or rewrote the file and macOS still blocks it, clear the quarantine flag:

`xattr -d com.apple.quarantine ./tunnels``

`curl -fsSL https://tunnels.io/install-gui.sh | bash``

This installs the Tunnels desktop app into your Applications folder.

PowerShell

`irm https://tunnels.io/install.ps1 | iex``

The desktop app is coming soon on Windows. Use the PowerShell command above to install the CLI for now.

`curl -fsSL https://tunnels.io/install.sh | bash``

The desktop app is coming soon on Linux. Use the command above to install the CLI for now.

## Run your first tunnel

Add the authtoken from your dashboard, then put your app online.

1. Add your authtoken

`tunnels config add-authtoken tnl_xxxxxxxxxxxx``

Find your token under [Account, then Tokens](https://tunnels.io/account/tokens). Or run `tunnels login``.

2. Put your app online

`tunnels http 8000``

Swap `8000`` for the port your app runs on.

```
Tunnel Status: online
Forwarding:    https://a1b2c3d4.tunnels.host -> http://localhost:8000
```

## How should people reach it?

Use a free address we give you, or your own domain.

A free tunnels.host address `yourapp.tunnels.host` My own domain `app.yourcompany.com`

Pick your subdomain

`.tunnels.host`

Choosing your own name needs Pro or higher. On Basic and Student we assign the address for you, and you can change plan any time.

Do you already own the domain?

Yes, I own it Point it at Tunnels with one DNS record No, I need one We register one for you, with the full price shown before you buy

Add this record at your DNS provider, then add and verify the domain on your account:

```
TypeCNAME
Nameapp (or @ for the apex)
Valueedge.tunnels.host
```

[Add and verify your domain](https://tunnels.io/account/domains)

On Gold and Premium you choose the apex (`example.com`) or a subdomain (`app.example.com`).

Find a domain

Check price

We check availability live and show the final price, registration fee included, before you pay. Buy `example.com` and on Gold or Premium serve both `example.com` and `app.example.com`; higher tiers add more subdomains, RPS, and bandwidth.

## Who will manage this?

Just you, or a few people sharing the account?

Just me An individual plan A team Invite members and share management

How many people, roughly?

## How much traffic do you expect?

A rough idea is fine. You can change plans any time.

Just testing Demos, sharing with a few people A real project Steady visitors, a small product Heavy traffic High request rates, production load

## Your recommended plan

Based on your answers.

### Basic (Free)

Recommended

$0 / month

- 1024 requests / second
- 4 GB bandwidth / month
- 1 tunnels
- Random domains

[Choose Basic (Free)](https://tunnels.io/signup)

### Student (Free)

Recommended

$0 / month

- 2048 requests / second
- 8 GB bandwidth / month
- 1 tunnels
- Random domains

[Choose Student (Free)](https://tunnels.io/signup)

### Professional

Recommended

$4 / month

- 8192 requests / second
- 128 GB bandwidth / month
- 5 tunnels
- Static domains

[Choose Professional](https://tunnels.io/signup)

### Gold

Recommended

$10 / month

- 16384 requests / second
- 256 GB bandwidth / month
- 10 tunnels
- Custom domains

[Choose Gold](https://tunnels.io/signup)

### Premium

Recommended

$20 / month

- Unlimited
- 512 GB bandwidth / month
- Unlimited tunnels
- Custom Plus domains

[Choose Premium](https://tunnels.io/signup)

Prices and limits are live from our catalog. Compare everything on the [pricing page](https://tunnels.io/pricing).

### Team

Recommended

$29 / month

- Shared management for your whole team
- 500 requests / second, 500 GB bandwidth
- Custom domains

[Create your team](https://tunnels.io/account/teams)

Create the team, then invite members under Account, then Teams.

Need SSO, a contract, or a custom setup? [Talk to us](https://tunnels.io/contact).

### Go live

Start the tunnel and open the public URL from any browser or phone, anywhere with internet.

`tunnels http 8000``

Your app appears at a `tunnels.host` URL (or your own domain) the moment it connects.

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