N0t

N0t is a lightweight, open‑source web server designed for rapid local development and testing of web applications. The project was created by the developer community in 2019 to provide an alternative to larger servers such as Apache or Nginx for developers who require a minimal footprint. N0t is written in Rust, allowing it to compile to a single binary that is both fast and memory efficient.

The core features of N0t include automatic HTTPS support using self‑signed certificates, a built‑in file watcher that reloads content on disk changes, and a flexible routing system that supports both static and dynamic content. It can serve static files, proxy API requests, and run user‑defined middleware written in JavaScript through an embedded V8 engine. The configuration system is based on a simple YAML format, which is easy to understand and modify without requiring extensive documentation.

Security is a focal point of N0t. The server runs on an isolated network namespace by default, limiting the exposure of the host system while listening for incoming requests. Users can restrict access to specific IP ranges or enable token‑based authentication for certain routes. The project also includes a set of unit and integration tests that ensure compatibility with RFC 7231 and modern web standards.

The community around N0t is active on GitHub and Discord. Contributors frequently add new plugins, update documentation, and integrate CI/CD pipelines. Despite its small size, N0t is suited for a wide range of use cases, from teaching web development concepts to prototyping microservices.