# What is hello.ts.net?

Last validated Jul 8, 2026

[`hello.ts.net`][xt-hello] is a server administered by Tailscale staff to demonstrate how
Tailscale works for new users.

`hello.ts.net` can only be accessed over Tailscale.
If `hello.ts.net` loads in your browser, you're connected over Tailscale!

> **Note:**
>
> `hello.ts.net` is not available to [ephemeral nodes][kb-ephemeral-nodes].

`hello.ts.net` is a private, "one-way" server. It is not accessible from the
public internet, and [access control policies][kb-access-control] restrict it
from making any outgoing connections. Tailscale does not start connections
from `hello.ts.net` to your tailnet. It serves no purpose other than to let you
verify you're connected to Tailscale.

> **Note:**
>
> Previously, `hello.ipn.dev` was used rather than `hello.ts.net`. These serve the same purpose.

## How can I add hello.ts.net?

If you would like to add it for testing purposes,
you can use this special invite URL to accept it into your network:

`login.tailscale.com/admin/invite/hello.ts.net`

## How can I remove it from my network?

You can remove `hello.ts.net` at any time from the [Machines](https://login.tailscale.com/admin/machines) page of the admin console. Press the  menu for a link to remove it.

![Menu in the admin console with the 'Remove...' option indicated with a red outline.](reference/examples/tsnet-hello-world/hello-ts-net-remove.jpg)

Once removed, it will disappear from the list, and no users on your network will
be able to connect to it.

## Does hello.ts.net have a reliability guarantee?

Tailscale operates `hello.ts.net` on a best-effort basis. It is not critical
infrastructure for the Tailscale service, and you should not rely on it as
critical infrastructure for your tailnet.

In particular, probing `hello.ts.net` is not an ideal way to determine whether the
Tailscale service is up. To do that, you can run `tailscale status -json | jq -r
.BackendState` (or `tailscale status --json | grep BackendState` if you don't
have `jq`) from the CLI, which will print `Running` when connected, and
`Stopped` when not. You can also attempt to connect to a resource on your
tailnet either with standard tools like `curl` or with, for example,
[`LocalClient.DialTCP`][xt-go-tailscale-dialtcp].

[kb-access-control]: /docs/features/access-control

[kb-ephemeral-nodes]: /docs/features/ephemeral-nodes

[xt-go-tailscale-dialtcp]: https://pkg.go.dev/tailscale.com/client/local#Client.DialTCP

[xt-hello]: https://hello.ts.net