python -m SimpleHTTPServer

I wish I had known this earlier. With python installed, a simple webserver can be started on the command line with just a
python -m SimpleHTTPServer

This command creates a webserver that listens on port 8000, so that it can be accessed with a browser on localhost:8000
The command also accepts an alternative port instead the default 8000:

python -m SimpleHTTPServer 7777

github link