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Build and Preview Websites

One of the most impressive things Open Terminal can do: the AI builds a website, starts a server and you see it live in a Browser tab, all inside Open WebUI. Then you tell it what to change and reload to see the result.

How it works​

  1. You ask the AI to create a website (or web app, or landing page, or anything web-based)
  2. The AI creates the files and starts a web server
  3. Open Terminal automatically detects the running server
  4. You open it from the Ports list of a Browser tab
  5. You ask for changes → the AI edits the files → you reload the page

This needs a terminal that supports browser sessions.

AI checking that the status page on port 8080 responds and summarising it

"Make me a landing page"​

You: Create a landing page for my photography business. Include a gallery, an about section, and a contact form.

The AI creates the HTML, CSS and JavaScript files, starts a web server and the page shows up in the Ports list. It looks professional and polished, not a skeleton wireframe.

File browser showing the created HTML files

"Change the colors and layout"​

Once the page is live, just keep talking to iterate:

You: Make the background dark and use a warmer color palette. Move the gallery above the about section.

The AI edits the CSS and HTML files. Reload the Browser tab to see the change.

"Build me something interactive"​

The AI can create interactive web applications, not just static pages:

You: Build a simple calculator that runs in the browser.

AI creating and running code for interactive applications

"Help me fix my website"​

Got an existing website that's broken or needs changes? Upload the files and ask:

You: (uploads HTML/CSS files via the file browser)
The contact form doesn't submit. Can you fix it?

The AI reads your code, identifies the problem, fixes it, and you verify in the Browser tab.

AI identifying and fixing code errors

How port detection works​

You don't need to do anything special for the server to show up. Behind the scenes:

  1. The AI starts a web server (like python -m http.server 3000 or any other server)
  2. Open Terminal monitors for new network ports
  3. When it detects the server is running, it reports the port to Open WebUI
  4. The Ports list of the Browser tab shows it, and Open WebUI proxies the traffic through its own connection

This means you don't need to open extra ports or change any firewall settings. It just works.

Multiple servers

If the AI starts more than one server (say, a frontend on port 3000 and a backend API on port 5000), each one gets its own row in the Ports list. Open each in its own Browser tab.

The Browser tab​

On terminals that support browser sessions, the + menu of the Tabs side panel offers Browser. Its start page lists the Ports the terminal is serving; click one to load it, or type any http or https address.

The options menu (...) picks how pages load. Proxy loads them through the terminal. Chrome runs Chrome on the terminal, where available, and streams it to the tab as a remote view, with Mobile view and a quality setting. The tab remembers the last mode. A live session stops when you or the terminal loses access.

The Desktop tab​

On terminals that support it, the + menu also offers Desktop. It shows the terminal's desktop, which you use with mouse and keyboard, including paste, and a button opens it in full screen. When the terminal provides desktop audio, the speaker button (Unmute / Mute) plays its sound.

More things to try​

tip

Want to preview and iterate on websites from your phone? Open WebUI Computer gives you your whole machine in a browser tab, accessible from any device.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a warranty, guarantee, or contractual commitment. Open WebUI is provided "as is." See your license for applicable terms.