hostctl

Manage /etc/hosts with profiles

TLDR

List all profiles and their entries

$ hostctl list

Add entries to a profile

$ hostctl add [profile_name] [ip] [hostname]

Enable a profile

$ hostctl enable [profile_name]

Disable a profile

$ hostctl disable [profile_name]

Remove a profile

$ hostctl remove [profile_name]

Import a profile from a file

$ hostctl set [profile_name] -from [path/to/file]

Create a backup of the hosts file

$ hostctl backup

Sync profile with Docker Compose containers

$ hostctl sync dockercompose -f [docker-compose.yml] -p [profile_name]

SYNOPSIS

hostctl command [options] [arguments]

hostctl is a CLI tool for managing your /etc/hosts file using profiles. You can have multiple profiles, enable or disable exactly what you need, and switch between different host configurations with simple commands. It automatically detects your OS and uses the correct hosts file location.
Profiles allow grouping host entries for different environments (development, staging, production) and toggling them on or off without manual file editing. It also supports syncing profiles with Docker and Docker Compose containers.

PARAMETERS

list

Show a detailed list of profiles and entries

add profile ip hostname

Add an entry to a profile

enable profile

Enable a profile

disable profile

Disable a profile

remove profile

Remove a profile entirely

set profile

Replace content of a profile

backup

Create a backup of the hosts file

sync

Sync with Docker or Docker Compose

CAVEATS

Modifying the hosts file requires root/administrator privileges. Incorrect entries can break local DNS resolution. Always use the backup command before making large changes.

HISTORY

hostctl was created by guumaster and is written in Go. It was designed to replace manual editing of the hosts file with a structured, profile-based approach that integrates with modern development workflows.