Admin UI
MockForge provides a comprehensive web-based Admin UI for managing and monitoring your mock servers. The Admin UI offers real-time insights, configuration management, and debugging tools to make mock server management effortless.
Accessing the Admin UI
The Admin UI is automatically available when you start MockForge with the --admin
flag:
# Start with Admin UI enabled
mockforge serve --spec api-spec.json --admin --admin-port 8080 --http-port 3000
The Admin UI will be available at: http://localhost:8080 (default port)
Configuration Options
# Custom admin port
mockforge serve --admin --admin-port 9090
# Disable admin UI (default)
mockforge serve --spec api-spec.json --no-admin
Environment Variables
# Enable/disable admin UI
MOCKFORGE_ADMIN_ENABLED=true
# Set admin UI port
MOCKFORGE_ADMIN_PORT=8080
# Set admin UI bind address (default: 0.0.0.0)
MOCKFORGE_ADMIN_BIND=127.0.0.1
Interface Overview
The Admin UI features a clean, modern interface with the following main sections:
Navigation Tabs
- Dashboard - System overview and real-time metrics
- Routes - API endpoint management and testing
- Fixtures - Recorded request/response management
- Logs - Request/response logging and debugging
- Configuration - Runtime configuration management
- Metrics - Performance monitoring and analytics
- Files - File system access for configuration files
Status Indicators
The header displays real-time system status:
- ● Healthy - All systems operational
- ● Warning - Minor issues detected
- ● Error - Critical issues requiring attention
Dashboard
The Dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of your MockForge instance:
System Status
- Uptime - How long the server has been running
- Memory Usage - Current memory consumption
- CPU Usage - Current CPU utilization
- Active Connections - Number of open connections
Recent Activity
- Latest Requests - Most recent API calls with timestamps
- Response Times - Average response latency
- Error Rate - Percentage of failed requests
Quick Actions
- Restart Server - Gracefully restart the mock server
- Clear Logs - Remove all accumulated logs
- Export Configuration - Download current config as YAML
Routes Management
The Routes tab provides detailed API endpoint management:
Route Listing
- View all configured API routes
- Filter by HTTP method, path pattern, or response status
- Sort by request count, response time, or error rate
Route Details
For each route, view:
- Request Count - Total requests served
- Average Response Time - Performance metrics
- Success/Error Rates - Reliability statistics
- Recent Requests - Last 10 requests with details
Route Testing
- Interactive Tester - Send test requests directly from the UI
- Request Builder - Construct complex requests with headers, query params, and body
- Response Preview - See exactly what would be returned
Route Overrides
- Temporary Overrides - Modify responses without changing configuration
- Conditional Responses - Set up A/B testing scenarios
- Failure Injection - Simulate errors for testing resilience
Fixtures Management
The Fixtures tab manages recorded request/response pairs:
Fixture Browser
- Search and Filter - Find fixtures by endpoint, method, or content
- Categorization - Group fixtures by API version or feature
- Tagging - Add custom tags for organization
Fixture Operations
- View Details - Inspect request/response pairs in detail
- Edit Responses - Modify recorded responses
- Export/Import - Backup and restore fixture collections
- Bulk Operations - Apply changes to multiple fixtures
Recording Controls
- Start/Stop Recording - Control when new fixtures are captured
- Recording Filters - Only record specific endpoints or request types
- Storage Management - Configure fixture retention and cleanup
Logging and Debugging
The Logs tab provides comprehensive request/response monitoring:
Log Viewer
- Real-time Updates - See requests as they happen
- Filtering Options - Filter by endpoint, status code, or time range
- Search Functionality - Find specific requests or responses
Log Details
For each log entry:
- Full Request - Headers, body, and metadata
- Full Response - Status, headers, and body
- Timing Information - Request/response duration
- Error Details - Stack traces and error context
Log Management
- Export Logs - Download logs in various formats
- Log Rotation - Automatic cleanup of old logs
- Log Levels - Adjust verbosity for debugging
Configuration Management
The Configuration tab allows runtime configuration changes:
Current Configuration
- View Active Config - See all current settings
- Configuration Sources - Understand precedence (CLI > Env > File)
- Validation Status - Check configuration validity
Configuration Editor
- Live Editing - Modify settings without restart
- Validation - Real-time syntax and semantic validation
- Change History - Track configuration modifications
Configuration Templates
- Save/Load Templates - Reuse common configurations
- Environment Profiles - Different configs for dev/staging/prod
- Backup/Restore - Version control for configurations
Metrics and Analytics
The Metrics tab provides detailed performance analytics:
Performance Metrics
- Response Time Distribution - P50, P95, P99 latencies
- Throughput - Requests per second over time
- Error Rate Trends - Track reliability over time
Endpoint Analytics
- Top Endpoints - Most frequently called routes
- Slowest Endpoints - Performance bottlenecks
- Error-prone Endpoints - Routes with high failure rates
System Metrics
- Resource Usage - CPU, memory, disk over time
- Connection Pool - Database connection utilization
- Cache Hit Rates - Effectiveness of response caching
File System Access
The Files tab provides access to configuration and data files:
File Browser
- Navigate Directory Structure - Browse the file system
- File Type Detection - Syntax highlighting for different file types
- Quick Access - Bookmarks for frequently used directories
File Editor
- In-browser Editing - Edit configuration files directly
- Syntax Validation - Catch errors before saving
- Version Control Integration - Commit changes with Git
File Operations
- Upload/Download - Transfer files to/from the server
- Backup Operations - Create and restore backups
- Permission Management - Control file access
Advanced Features
Auto-Refresh
- Configurable Intervals - Set refresh rates from 1 second to 5 minutes
- Smart Updates - Only refresh when data has changed
- Background Updates - Continue working while data refreshes
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Navigation - Tab switching with keyboard shortcuts
- Actions - Quick access to common operations
- Search - Global search across all tabs
Themes and Customization
- Light/Dark Mode - Choose your preferred theme
- Layout Options - Customize dashboard layout
- Color Schemes - Personalize the interface
Security Considerations
Access Control
- Authentication - Optional login requirements
- Authorization - Role-based access control
- IP Restrictions - Limit access to specific networks
Data Protection
- Sensitive Data Masking - Hide passwords and tokens in logs
- Encryption - Secure data transmission
- Audit Logging - Track all administrative actions
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Admin UI not loading: Check that --admin
flag is used and port 8080 is accessible
Slow performance: Reduce auto-refresh interval or disable real-time updates
Missing data: Ensure proper permissions for file system access
Configuration not applying: Some changes may require server restart
Debug Tools
- Network Inspector - Monitor all HTTP requests
- Console Logs - JavaScript debugging information
- Performance Profiler - Identify UI performance bottlenecks
Getting Help
- Built-in Help - Press
?
for keyboard shortcuts - Tooltips - Hover over UI elements for explanations
- Context Help - Right-click for contextual help menus
The Admin UI transforms MockForge from a simple mock server into a powerful development and testing platform, providing the visibility and control needed for professional API mocking workflows.