“hostess” is a command-line utility designed to manage the /etc/hosts file on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS. The /etc/hosts file is a local text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses, allowing users to override DNS resolution for specific domains or create custom hostname mappings. Here are some key features and aspects of hostess:
- Idempotent Operations: One of the primary features of hostess is its idempotent behavior. This means that running the same hostess command multiple times will result in the same outcome without causing unintended changes or duplications in the /etc/hosts file. This ensures that the hostess commands are safe to run repeatedly and do not introduce inconsistencies or conflicts.
- Managing Hostname Entries: hostess provides commands to add, remove, update, and list hostname entries in the /etc/hosts file. Users can specify the hostname, IP address, and optional aliases for each entry, allowing for precise control over the mappings between hostnames and IP addresses.
- Support for IPv4 and IPv6: hostess supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, enabling users to create mappings for both types of IP addresses in the /etc/hosts file. This ensures compatibility with modern networking standards and allows users to manage a wide range of hostname-to-IP mappings.
- Backup and Restore: hostess includes features for backing up and restoring the /etc/hosts file, providing a safety net in case of accidental modifications or deletions. Users can create backups of the current /etc/hosts file before making changes and restore previous versions if needed.
- Integration with Version Control Systems: hostess is designed to work well with version control systems such as Git, allowing users to track changes to the /etc/hosts file over time. By storing the /etc/hosts file in a Git repository, users can manage changes, collaborate with others, and revert to previous versions if necessary.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: hostess is compatible with various Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS. This cross-platform compatibility ensures that users can use hostess to manage the /etc/hosts file consistently across different environments and distributions.
- Active Development and Community Support: hostess is an open-source project hosted on GitHub, with active development and community support. Users can contribute to the project, report bugs, suggest new features, and provide feedback to help improve the utility over time.
hostess Command Examples
1. List domains, target IP addresses and on/off status:
# hostess list
2. Add a domain pointing to your machine to your hosts file:
# hostess add [local.example.com] [127.0.0.1]
3. Remove a domain from your hosts file:
# hostess del [local.example.com]
4. Disable a domain (but don’t remove it):
# hostess off [local.example.com]
Summary
Overall, hostess provides a convenient and reliable way to manage the /etc/hosts file from the command line. Its idempotent operations, support for IPv4 and IPv6, backup and restore capabilities, and compatibility with version control systems make it a valuable tool for system administrators, developers, and power users who need to manage hostname-to-IP mappings efficiently.