I've always used name.dev for local development, but since Google Chrome 63 update, out December 2017, domains with .dev are in the preloaded HSTS list with a rule enforcing HTTPS, no workarounds.
IETF states a few reserved TLDs for development:
TLDs for Testing, & Documentation Examples
There is a need for top level domain (TLD) names that can be used for creating names which, without fear of conflicts with current or future actual TLD names in the global DNS, can be used for private
testing of existing DNS related code, examples in documentation, DNS
related experimentation, invalid DNS names, or other similar uses.For example, without guidance, a site might set up some local
additional unused top level domains for testing of its local DNS code and configuration. Later, these TLDs might come into actual use on
the global Internet. As a result, local attempts to reference the
real data in these zones could be thwarted by the local test
versions. Or test or example code might be written that accesses a
TLD that is in use with the thought that the test code would only be
run in a restricted testbed net or the example never actually run.
Later, the test code could escape from the testbed or the example be
actually coded and run on the Internet. Depending on the nature of
the test or example, it might be best for it to be referencing a TLD
permanently reserved for such purposes.To safely satisfy these needs, four domain names are reserved as
listed and described below..test .example .invalid .localhost
".test" is recommended for use in testing of current or new DNS related code.
".example" is recommended for use in documentation or as examples.
".invalid" is intended for use in online construction of domain names that are sure to be invalid and which it is obvious at a glance are invalid.
The ".localhost" TLD has traditionally been statically defined in host DNS implementations as having an A record pointing to the loop back IP address and is reserved for such use. Any other use would conflict with widely deployed code which assumes this use.
But I was wondering if I could use something shorter.
###Is it ok to use only http://name
for local websites?
I mean, only the project name, without TLD. Similar to the localhost "domain" itself.