Incorrect Nginx Configuration

Oct 13, 2025 by vinooalluri.com 79 views

When Using Miniserve Behind Nginx as a Proxy, It Loads but Returns 403 Forbidden

Introduction

When using miniserve behind nginx as a proxy, it loads but when trying to access any files or subfolders, you get a 403 forbidden error. This issue can be frustrating, especially when you have multiple server apps running on your machine and you want to access them through a single index page. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this issue and provide a step-by-step guide to fix it.

Understanding the Issue

The issue you are facing is likely due to the way nginx is configured to proxy requests to miniserve. When you forward the app through ngrok directly, it works fine, but when you use nginx as a proxy, you get a 403 forbidden error. This suggests that the issue is not with miniserve or the app itself, but rather with the way nginx is handling the requests.

Possible Causes of the Issue

There are several possible causes of this issue:

Incorrect Nginx Configuration: The nginx configuration may not be correctly set up to proxy requests to miniserve. This can cause the 403 forbidden error.
File System Permissions: The file system permissions may not be correctly set up to allow miniserve to access the files and subfolders.
Miniserve Configuration: The miniserve configuration may not be correctly set up to handle requests from nginx.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Issue

To fix the issue, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Check the Nginx Configuration

The first step is to check the nginx configuration to ensure that it is correctly set up to proxy requests to miniserve. You can do this by checking the nginx configuration file (usually located at /etc/nginx/nginx.conf or /etc/nginx/sites-available/default).

http {
    ...
    server {
        listen 80;
        server_name example.com;

        location / {
            proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
            proxy_http_version 1.1;
            proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
            proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
            proxy_set_header Host $host;
            proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
        }
    }
}

In this example, the nginx configuration is set up to proxy requests from the root URL (/) to the miniserve server running on port 3000.

Step 2: Check the File System Permissions

The next step is to check the file system permissions to ensure that they are correctly set up to allow miniserve to access the files and subfolders. You can do this by checking the permissions of the directory where miniserve is running.

ls -l /path/to/miniserve

In this example, the ls -l command is used to display the permissions of the directory where miniserve is running.

Step 3: Check the Miniserve Configuration

The final step is to check the miniserve configuration to ensure that it is correctly set up to handle requests from nginx. You can do this by checking the miniserve configuration file (usually located at ~/.miniserve/config.json).

{
    "port": 3000,
    "root": "/path/to/miniserve",
    "index": "index.html"
}

In this example, the miniserve configuration is set up to run on port 3000, with the root directory set to /path/to/miniserve and the index file set to index.html.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 403 forbidden error when using miniserve behind nginx as a proxy is likely due to an incorrect nginx configuration, file system permissions, or miniserve configuration. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you should be able to fix the issue and access your files and subfolders through the index page.

Additional Tips

Use a Reverse Proxy: If you are using a reverse proxy like nginx, make sure to configure it correctly to proxy requests to miniserve.
Check the Nginx Logs: If you are still experiencing issues, check the nginx logs to see if there are any errors or warnings that may indicate the cause of the issue.
Use a Different Server: If you are still experiencing issues, consider using a different server like Apache or Lighttpd to see if the issue is specific to nginx.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do I get a 403 forbidden error when using miniserve behind nginx as a proxy? A: The 403 forbidden error is likely due to an incorrect nginx configuration, file system permissions, or miniserve configuration.
Q: How do I fix the issue? A: To fix the issue, follow the step-by-step guide outlined in this article.
Q: What are some additional tips to fix the issue? A: Some additional tips include using a reverse proxy, checking the nginx logs, and using a different server.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - When Using Miniserve Behind Nginx as a Proxy, It Loads but Returns 403 Forbidden

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of getting a 403 forbidden error when using miniserve behind nginx as a proxy. We also provided a step-by-step guide to fix the issue. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this issue.

Q&A

Q: Why do I get a 403 forbidden error when using miniserve behind nginx as a proxy?

A: The 403 forbidden error is likely due to an incorrect nginx configuration, file system permissions, or miniserve configuration.

Q: How do I fix the issue?

A: To fix the issue, follow the step-by-step guide outlined in our previous article. This includes checking the nginx configuration, file system permissions, and miniserve configuration.

Q: What are some common causes of the 403 forbidden error?

A: Some common causes of the 403 forbidden error include:

Incorrect Nginx Configuration: The nginx configuration may not be correctly set up to proxy requests to miniserve.
File System Permissions: The file system permissions may not be correctly set up to allow miniserve to access the files and subfolders.
Miniserve Configuration: The miniserve configuration may not be correctly set up to handle requests from nginx.

Q: How do I check the nginx configuration?

A: To check the nginx configuration, you can use the nginx -t command to test the configuration file. You can also use the nginx -c command to specify the configuration file.

nginx -t
nginx -c /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Q: How do I check the file system permissions?

A: To check the file system permissions, you can use the ls -l command to display the permissions of the directory where miniserve is running.

ls -l /path/to/miniserve

Q: How do I check the miniserve configuration?

A: To check the miniserve configuration, you can use the miniserve -c command to display the configuration file.

miniserve -c ~/.miniserve/config.json

Q: What are some additional tips to fix the issue?

A: Some additional tips include:

Use a Reverse Proxy: If you are using a reverse proxy like nginx, make sure to configure it correctly to proxy requests to miniserve.
Check the Nginx Logs: If you are still experiencing issues, check the nginx logs to see if there are any errors or warnings that may indicate the cause of the issue.
Use a Different Server: If you are still experiencing issues, consider using a different server like Apache or Lighttpd to see if the issue is specific to nginx.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 403 forbidden error when using miniserve behind nginx as a proxy is a common issue that can be caused by an incorrect nginx configuration, file system permissions, or miniserve configuration. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in our previous article and answering the FAQs in this article, you should be able to fix the issue and access your files and subfolders through the index page.

Additional Resources

Nginx Documentation: The official nginx documentation provides detailed information on how to configure nginx to proxy requests to miniserve.
Miniserve Documentation: The official miniserve documentation provides detailed information on how to configure miniserve to handle requests from nginx.
Stack Overflow: Stack Overflow is a community-driven Q&A platform that provides answers to a wide range of technical questions, including those related to nginx and miniserve.