How to test a website on a new IP without DNS changes using curl --resolve

Testing by raw IP is not enough for migration validation. You need proper Host header and TLS domain flow. curl --resolve gives you that without touching public DNS.

Correct usage

curl -skI --resolve mydomain.com:443:148.113.xxx.xxx https://mydomain.com

Pre-cutover checks

• homepage status;
• auth/admin endpoint;
• API health endpoint;
• redirect chain.

Automation snippet

code=$(curl -sk -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" --resolve "${DOMAIN}:443:${NEW_IP}" "https://${DOMAIN}/")

Final takeaway

curl --resolve is the safest pre-cutover validation method for domain-based hosting and TLS-aware stacks.

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