Simplifying Remote Access: Hosting ComfyUI Online with Pinggy

ComfyUI is a local and portable interface often used to generate AI-generated art using models like Stable Diffusion. When collaborating with remote clients or teammates, you might need to share this locally hosted interface online. Pinggy, a tunneling service, makes this simple by providing a public link to access your setup securely.

Summary:
Steps to share ComfyUI:

• Run ComfyUI locally: Set up and launch the interface.
• Create a Tunnel: Use Pinggy to create a secure public link for your local ComfyUI.

What is ComfyUI?
ComfyUI is an open-source interface used for AI-generated image creation with models like Stable Diffusion. It is easy to use and allows users to host projects locally, making it a favorite among developers, researchers, and artists working with generative AI.

What is Pinggy?
Pinggy is a tool similar to Ngrok that lets you securely share your local network with the internet. It's easy to use and doesn't require complicated configurations, making it perfect for accessing local applications or interfaces remotely.

Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:

• A running instance of ComfyUI.
• Node.js installed on your system.
• A Pinggy account (optional but recommended for custom domains).
• Basic command-line knowledge.

Step 1: Run ComfyUI Locally
If ComfyUI isn't running yet, follow these steps to set it up:

1. Clone the ComfyUI repository:
   

   git clone https://github.com/ComfyUI/ComfyUI.git
   cd ComfyUI
   
   

2. Install dependencies:
   

   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

3. Start ComfyUI:
   

   python3 main.py
   

ComfyUI will typically run at http://localhost:8188 by default.

Step 2: Create a Tunnel with Pinggy

To make your local ComfyUI accessible online, use Pinggy:

1. Open the terminal and enter:
   

   ssh -p 443 -R0:localhost:8188 a.pinggy.io
   

2. If prompted, enter your token or press Enter.

Understanding the Command

• ssh -p 443:Establishes a secure connection to Pinggy'sserver.
• -R0:localhost:8188: Connects your local machine to Pinggy’s server, forwarding ComfyUI's port (default: 8188).
• a.pinggy.io: Directs the command to Pinggy’s server.

Pinggy will generate a public URL, which might look like:
http://fakqxzqrohxxx.a.pinggy.link

Step 3: Customize Your Pinggy Tunnel

Pinggy offers additional features to secure and control your tunnel:

1. Custom Domains: Use your personalized domain for easier access.
2. Password Protection: Add a password for secure access.

Troubleshooting Tips:

• Port Conflicts: Ensure the SSH command port matches the port ComfyUI is using (default is 8188).
• Firewall Restrictions: Check if your network's firewall blocks tunneling connections. Allow SSH connections if needed.
• Command Not Found: Ensure SSH is installed. It's pre-installed on macOS and Linux but may require installation on Windows.

Conclusion:
Pinggy simplifies sharing your ComfyUI interface securely over the internet, making collaboration easier without complex configurations. By setting up Pinggy tunnels, you can reliably and securely grant access to your AI-generated art projects for clients and coworkers, no matter where they are.