Reverse Proxy

Core Idea

A reverse proxy receives a public request and forwards it to another server or process behind it.

In this course, Caddy is the reverse proxy for the user service URL. Your user-managed service is the backend.

static URL:  https://lf2607.kolamayermakers.org/~username/
service URL: https://username.lf2607.kolamayermakers.org/

Request Path

browser or curl -> Caddy -> your service port -> response back through Caddy

The static URL can be served as files from ~/public_html/. The service URL needs your backend process to be listening on your assigned local port.

Failure Model

• Caddy reachable, backend missing: proxy-style error such as 502 or connection failure.
• Backend listening on wrong port: Caddy cannot reach it.
• Backend returns an error: Caddy may be working correctly while your service fails.

Proof Check

Use curl -v on the service URL before the service exists, then explain which part is public proxy and which part is missing backend.

Docs Pointers

• Read Caddy, curl -v, HTTP, services, sockets, and platform reference.