🛠️ Hostflip – a macOS /etc/hosts switcher that detects external edits
Summary
Hostflip is a native macOS menu bar application for switching /etc/hosts profiles that prevents multiple writers from overwriting each other's changes. It uses a background daemon to detect external file edits and prompts the user to reconcile differences before making new writes.
Why it’s interesting
It solves the common multi-writer conflict issue with /etc/hosts by tracking file hashes and showing diffs when external tools or VPNs modify the file.
Target user
macOS developers and system administrators who manage multiple hosts profiles and local testing environments.
Source metrics: Points 2 · Comments 1
HN discussion · Project
Source: #HackerNews / Show HN
Summary
Hostflip is a native macOS menu bar application for switching /etc/hosts profiles that prevents multiple writers from overwriting each other's changes. It uses a background daemon to detect external file edits and prompts the user to reconcile differences before making new writes.
Why it’s interesting
It solves the common multi-writer conflict issue with /etc/hosts by tracking file hashes and showing diffs when external tools or VPNs modify the file.
Target user
macOS developers and system administrators who manage multiple hosts profiles and local testing environments.
Source metrics: Points 2 · Comments 1
HN discussion · Project
Source: #HackerNews / Show HN