Pipenet is an open-source tool designed as an alternative to localtunnel, allowing users to create their own tunnel infrastructure. It combines both client and server capabilities, making it easy to expose local services to the internet without the need for deployment. With a simple command like `npm install pipenet`, users can share local servers, test webhooks, or present work to teammates seamlessly. The tool offers two main modes: a public server option and the ability to run a self-hosted server for greater control over security and domains. Users can specify ports and even custom subdomains or domains when creating tunnels. The commands are straightforward, such as `npx pipenet client --port 3000` for the client and `npx pipenet server --port 3000` for the server. While localtunnel uses random ports, pipenet supports single-port cloud deployment, making it more suitable for modern development environments. Pipenet supports various protocols, including HTTP, WebSocket, and Server-Sent Events (SSE), allowing it to handle a range of HTTP-based traffic. For those looking to integrate pipenet programmatically, it provides a simple API to create tunnels and listen for events like requests and tunnel closures. Additionally, it allows for lifecycle hooks, enabling developers to execute custom actions when tunnels are created or closed, which enhances its usability in automated testing or integration scenarios.