gh-113471: Add custom default Content-Type to http.server by jcomeauictx · Pull Request #113475 · python/cpython · GitHub

Issue: default http content-type #113471

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…pupgrade

This change need tests.

I am not sure how much useful is this feature. It only allows to override the MIME type of unrecognized types. And would not it be simpler to configure your browser?

…QMpbI.rst Co-authored-by: Serhiy Storchaka <storchaka@gmail.com>

…pupgrade

The feature looks useful to me; I've wanted it once or twice before. However, adding it would be a lot work. Not sure if it's worth your time.

The change needs documentation (in Doc/library/http.server.rst, both for the attribute and CLI option).

@jcomeauictx are you going to continue working on this PR?

@jcomeauictx are you going to continue working on this PR?

I've forgotten what else needs to be done. And in any case, nobody else seems interested in it.

Suggested change

      
            .. versionchanged:: 3.13
          
            .. versionchanged:: next

I've forgotten what else needs to be done. And in any case, nobody else seems interested in it.

I'm interested :)
I think if you add tests you can ping someone from core members

OK, I'll look into it tomorrow. No idea where to add them, though, or what precisely needs to be tested.

"move the description of this flag to the right place", what does that mean? Could you please do it? I just corrected the hyphenation.

…

On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 6:10 AM donBarbos ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this pull request. ------------------------------ In Doc/library/http.server.rst <#113475 (comment)>: > +By default, the server uses the MIME type ``'application/octet-stream'`` for +the ``Content-Type`` header when the content type cannot be guessed from the +URL's extension (if any). The option ``--default-content-type`` overrides +this default with one of the user's choosing:: + + python -m http.server --default-content-type text/html + +.. versionchanged:: next + Added the ``--default-content-type`` option. @jcomeauictx <https://github.com/jcomeauictx> we added usage of .. option:: directory for CLI flags, we also need to move the description of this flag to the right place, could you move it? (I also forgot the second - before default-content-type, please add it :) — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#113475 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AABRUXUAWLKM3YQ2WNDDTZL2UVZ5XAVCNFSM6AAAAABYSPI2O6VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43YUDVNRWFEZLROVSXG5CSMV3GSZLXHMZDMOBYGY3DSNJZGA> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

-- John Comeau KE5TFZ WSEE965 ***@***.***> ***@***.***> http://jc.unternet.net/ "A place for everything, and everything all over the place"

Sorry I can't. I mean move on to the rest options

OK, please check that I did it right.

…

On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 7:59 AM donBarbos ***@***.***> wrote: Sorry I can't. I mean move on to the rest options — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#113475 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AABRUXV7CQROXHJA4WOQ2N32UWGTPAVCNFSM6AAAAABYSPI2O6VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDOMRXGQ4DKNRZHE> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***> [image: donBarbos]*donBarbos* left a comment (python/cpython#113475) <#113475 (comment)> Sorry I can't. I mean move on to the rest options — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#113475 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AABRUXV7CQROXHJA4WOQ2N32UWGTPAVCNFSM6AAAAABYSPI2O6VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDOMRXGQ4DKNRZHE> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

-- John Comeau KE5TFZ WSEE965 ***@***.***> ***@***.***> http://jc.unternet.net/ "A place for everything, and everything all over the place"

This PR is stale because it has been open for 30 days with no activity.

I've resolved the merge conflict and pushed some minor docs things.

default_content_type is defined on BaseHTTPRequestHandler, but only used in its subclass SimpleHTTPRequestHandler, in guess_type().

Should default_content_type be moved to SimpleHTTPRequestHandler?

Also, test() defaults HandlerClass=BaseHTTPRequestHandler, but the CLI calls it with HandlerClass=SimpleHTTPRequestHandler.

test() then sets HandlerClass.default_content_type. This doesn't matter to BaseHTTPRequestHandler if we move it, although we could also change test() to only use SimpleHTTPRequestHandler?

I think I had a reason to put it in BaseRequestHandler, but it's been a long time and I've moved on to other things. Do what seems best.

Co-authored-by: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>

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📚 cpython-previews | 🛠️ Build #32468450 | 📁 Comparing 4388da5 against main (69e0a78)

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Thanks!

jcomeauictx added 4 commits December 25, 2023 14:57

changeable default

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ready to test

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passed test this time

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DRY fix for python#113471

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bedevere-app Bot added the awaiting review label Dec 25, 2023

bedevere-app Bot mentioned this pull request Dec 25, 2023

default http content-type #113471

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blurb-it Bot and others added 6 commits December 25, 2023 19:14

📜🤖 Added by blurb_it.

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Merge branch 'main' into httpupgrade

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Merge branch 'main' into httpupgrade

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Merge branch 'httpupgrade' of github.com:jcomeauictx/cpython into htt…

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…pupgrade

Merge branch 'main' into httpupgrade

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Merge branch 'main' into httpupgrade

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serhiy-storchaka reviewed Jan 26, 2024

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Comment thread Lib/http/server.py Outdated

Comment thread Lib/http/server.py Outdated

Comment thread Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2023-12-25-19-14-07.gh-issue-113471.ZQMpbI.rst Outdated

jcomeauictx and others added 6 commits January 27, 2024 04:40

Update Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2023-12-25-19-14-07.gh-issue-113471.Z…

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…QMpbI.rst Co-authored-by: Serhiy Storchaka <storchaka@gmail.com>

Merge branch 'httpupgrade' of github.com:jcomeauictx/cpython into htt…

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…pupgrade

removed short option and inefficiency pointed out by @serhiy-storchaka

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Merge branch 'main' into httpupgrade

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adding tests per @serhiy_storchaka's suggestion, not all pass yet

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tests all pass

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encukou reviewed Feb 2, 2024

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addresses some of @encukou 's observations. still need to add tests.

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encukou added awaiting changes and removed awaiting review labels Apr 15, 2024

donbarbos reviewed Mar 8, 2025

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corrected double hyphen

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moved to options section

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github-actions Bot added the stale Stale PR or inactive for long period of time. label Apr 15, 2026

hugovk added 3 commits April 15, 2026 14:48

Merge remote-tracking branch 'upstream/main' into httpupgrade

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fixup! Merge remote-tracking branch 'upstream/main' into httpupgrade

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Whitespace

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hugovk changed the title gh-113471: adds custom default content-type to http.server gh-113471: Add custom default Content-Type to http.server Apr 15, 2026

hugovk added 3 commits April 15, 2026 15:01

Update docs to match code: --content-type

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Update docs to match code: args order

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Fix docs indent to match others

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hugovk approved these changes Apr 15, 2026

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bedevere-app Bot added awaiting merge and removed awaiting changes labels Apr 15, 2026

hugovk added 2 commits April 15, 2026 18:29

Update docs formatting and caps

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Co-authored-by: Hugo van Kemenade <1324225+hugovk@users.noreply.github.com>

Move default_content_type to SimpleHTTPRequestHandler

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hugovk added 3 commits April 29, 2026 16:24

Add test

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Update docs

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Add to What's New

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hugovk requested a review from AA-Turner as a code owner April 29, 2026 13:33

hugovk approved these changes Apr 29, 2026

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hugovk merged commit cc5f8b5 into python:main Apr 30, 2026
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		python -m http.server --default-content-type text/html

		.. versionchanged:: 3.13

gh-113471: Add custom default Content-Type to http.server by jcomeauictx · Pull Request #113475 · python/cpython · GitHub

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gh-113471: Add custom default Content-Type to http.server - #113475

gh-113471: Add custom default Content-Type to http.server#113475hugovk merged 40 commits intopython:mainpython/cpython:mainfrom jcomeauictx:httpupgradejcomeauictx/cpython:httpupgradeCopy head branch name to clipboard

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gh-113471: Add custom default Content-Type to http.server#113475
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