network_debugger

Free tool for debugging HTTP and WebSocket which is MUCH BETTER than the built-in Flutter Netwrok Devtools.

Suitable for local development and test environments. Has web interface (opens in browser), desktop and CLI.

Features

• Automatic binary download from GitHub releases
• Smart caching with version management
• Platform detection (Windows, macOS, Linux with various architectures)
• Download progress tracking
• Simple process management
• Automatic browser opening to web UI
• CLI tool for instant launch

Quick Start (CLI)

The easiest way to use the network debugger is via the CLI tool:

Installation

# Install globally from pub.flutter-io.cn
dart pub global activate network_debugger

# OR install locally from path
cd dart_packages/network_debugger
dart pub global activate --source path .

Usage

# Launch debugger (downloads binary if needed, opens browser automatically)
network_debugger

# Custom port
network_debugger --port 8080

# Without opening browser
network_debugger --no-browser

# Specific binary version
network_debugger --binary-version v1.0.0

# Show version
network_debugger --version

# Show help
network_debugger --help

Press Ctrl+C to stop the debugger.

Quick Start (Dart API)

You can also use the package programmatically in your Dart code:

Installation

Add to your pubspec.yaml:

dependencies:
  network_debugger: ^0.1.2

Usage

import 'package:network_debugger/network_debugger.dart';

void main() async {
  // Launch debugger (downloads if needed, uses cache otherwise)
  final debugger = await NetworkDebugger.launch(
    port: 9091,
    onProgress: (received, total) {
      print('Download progress: ${(received / total * 100).toStringAsFixed(1)}%');
    },
  );

  print('Network debugger running at: ${debugger.url}');

  // When done...
  await debugger.stop();
}

Advanced Usage

Specify Version

final debugger = await NetworkDebugger.launch(
  version: 'v1.0.0',  // or null for latest
);

Custom Configuration

final debugger = await NetworkDebugger.launch(
  port: 8080,
  autoOpenBrowser: false,  // Don't open browser automatically
  onProgress: (received, total) {
    final percent = (received / total * 100).toStringAsFixed(1);
    print('Downloading: $percent%');
  },
);

Cache Management

// Clear all cached binaries
await NetworkDebugger.clearCache();

// Clear specific version
await NetworkDebugger.clearCache(version: 'v1.0.0');

How It Works

1. Detects your platform (OS + architecture)
2. Checks local cache (~/.cache/network_debugger/ or platform-specific)
3. Downloads from GitHub releases if not cached
4. Extracts and caches the binary
5. Launches the process
6. Returns a DebuggerInstance for process management

Cache Location

• macOS/Linux: ~/.cache/network_debugger/
• Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\network_debugger\Cache\

Each version is stored separately for easy version switching.

License

MIT