Tools to find and release ports that block development work

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Port Kill: Supports macOS, Linux, and Windows operating systems, offering a simple command-line interface (CLI), status bar, and optional dashboard.

“Ports are occupied” is a pain that every developer has encountered.
Is there a way to clean it up immediately without memorizing those complicated command lines, just enter a number?
——This is port-kill.

A common nightmare for developers

When starting a project locally, you may see an error like this:

Error: Port 3000 is already in use

The traditional practice is:

lsof -i :3000 # 查找进程
kill -9 <PID> # 杀掉进程

Windows users also have to type longer commands:

netstat -ano | findstr :3000
taskkill /PID <PID> /F

Repetition and trouble.
So,port-kill it appeared.

What is port-kill?

port-kill is an open-source tool developed by KageHQ ,
Its role is very simple:

🪄 “Enter the port number and kill all processes occupying the port with one click.”

Whether you’re using macOS, Linux, or Windows, you can use it directly.

Get started quickly

You don’t even have to install it!

Temporary use (recommended)

npx port-kill 3000

Global installation

npm install -g port-kill
port-kill 8080

It’s that simple, release the port in one second.

How is it done?

port-kill Commands are automatically executed depending on the system:

systemLook for port commandsEnd process command
macOS/Linuxlsof -i :3000kill -9 <PID>
Windows`netstat -anofindstr :3000`taskkill /PID <PID> /F

The entire process is automated and does not require users to remember any commands.

Schematic diagram

输入端口号 → 检查系统类型 → 找到PID → 执行kill命令 → 释放端口

The script core is index.js in , with only a few dozen lines of code, but it encapsulates cross-platform logical judgment.

Usage scenarios

SceneDescription
Error “Port in use” during local developmentOne-click solution
Docker is not completely shut downQuickly clean up residual ports
Node/React/Vite debugging crashesRestart the project environment immediately

Summary of advantages

  • Cross-platform support (Windows/macOS/Linux)
  • Zero configuration, use and go
  • Quickly clean up the dev port
  • It is friendly to front-end, back-end, and full-stack development

Project structure at a glance

port-kill/
├── bin/port-kill.js # CLI 入口
├── index.js # 主逻辑
├── package.json # npm 配置
└── README.md # 文档

Project address

GitHub – kagehq/port-kill

Epilogue

Sometimes the most practical tools are often the simplest.
port-kill It may be just a few lines of code, but it saves countless hours in daily development.

The next time you see the “port occupied” error,
Don’t panic, just knock a sentence:

npx port-kill 3000

GitHub：https://github.com/kagehq/port-kill

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