🔧 Configure custom headers to enhance your HTTP server's functionality and security.

📌 What Are Custom Headers?

Custom headers are key-value pairs added to HTTP requests or responses to carry additional information not covered by standard headers.

HTTP_Header_Configuration

📚 Use Cases

  • API Versioning: X-API-Version: 2.0
  • Authentication: Authorization: Bearer <token>
  • Custom Metadata: X-User-ID: 12345

🛠 Configuration Steps

  1. Edit server configuration file (e.g., nginx.conf or apache2.conf).
  2. Add header directives in the appropriate block (e.g., location, server).
  3. Test changes using tools like curl or browser developer consoles.

✅ Example: Adding a Custom Response Header

location /api {
    add_header X-Custom-Response "Hello, World!" always;
}
Custom_Header_Example

⚠️ Security Considerations

  • Avoid exposing sensitive data in headers.
  • Use always flag cautiously to prevent header omission in error responses.
  • Refer to Security Best Practices for more guidance.

🧭 Advanced Tips

  • Combine custom headers with rate limiting for enhanced control.
  • Use tools like Postman to simulate and debug headers.

For deeper insights, check our Headers Overview Guide.