PcapViewer is a powerful, multi-platform tool that simplifies network traffic analysis, bringing essential PCAP/PCAPNG file inspection capabilities directly into your preferred environment: Visual Studio Code, Terminal UI, a standalone Desktop Application, or a dedicated Web Service.
It enables users to dive into network traffic and inspect various protocol layers, from the Ethernet layer to the application layer, providing a streamlined alternative to full-scale tools like Wireshark. With its lightweight nature, it’s ideal for developers, network administrators, and engineers who need quick insights into network packets.
- Native Integration: Seamless operation as a custom editor within VS Code.
- Multi-format Support: Handles
.pcap,.pcapng, and.capfiles. - High Performance: Utilizes WASM and Rust for fast and efficient packet analysis.
- Extensible Design: Open to contributions and improvements via the modular architecture.
- File Formats: PCAP, PCAPNG
- Link Layer: Ethernet II, PPPoE, IEEE 1905.1a, IEEE 802.11, SSL
- Network Layer: IPv4, IPv6, ARP, RARP, ICMP, IGMP
- Transport Layer: TCP, UDP
- Application Layer: TLS, HTTP, DNS, DHCP, SSDP, SIP
Try out PcapViewer in your browser.
Install the PcapViewer extension from the VSCode Marketplace for seamless integration into your Visual Studio Code environment.
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Installation: Download from Releases
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Execution: Run the executable with the
--fileargument pointing to your file:pcaps -f <filepath>
For users who prefer a dedicated, cross-platform graphical application.
- Installation: Download the installer/binary for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) from the Releases page.
- Usage: Launch the application and use the file dialog to open your PCAP file for analysis.
Launch a local web server to analyze a specific PCAP file and access the UI through your web browser. This is ideal for remote access or containerized environments.
- Execution: Run the executable with the
--fileargument pointing to your file:(Note: Command name may vary based on your build. Check the executable output for the exact command.)pcap-web -f /path/to/your/traffic.pcap -p 8080
- Access: Open your web browser and navigate to the address displayed in the console (typically
http://127.0.0.1:8080or similar).
We welcome all community involvement and appreciate your interest in making PcapViewer better!
Please take a moment to review our official guidelines before contributing:
- Contribution Guidelines: For details on submitting Pull Requests, reporting bugs, and suggesting new features, please see the
CONTRIBUTING.mdfile. - Code of Conduct: To ensure a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone, all participants are expected to adhere to our
CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md.
This project is licensed under the MIT License.








