Starting the VPN
Once you’ve installed SlipStream GUI, getting started is simple:Launch SlipStream GUI
Open the application after installation. The interface will display the connection status panel showing “Disconnected”.
Configure your server (if needed)
By default, SlipStream GUI uses:
- DNS Resolver:
8.8.8.8:53 - Domain:
s.example.com
Start the VPN
Click the “Start VPN” button. The status indicators will update as services start:
- Client (SlipStream client process)
- HTTP Proxy (Port 8080)
- System Proxy configuration (if enabled)
Understanding the status panel
The status card shows real-time connection information:Main status orb
- Gray dot: VPN is disconnected
- Green pulsing dot: VPN is active and running
- The orb glows green when all services are operational
Service indicators
Each service has its own status indicator showing whether it’s running or stopped.
127.0.0.1:8080 (or 0.0.0.0:8080 for network sharing) that converts HTTP requests to SOCKS5.
System Proxy: Shows whether your operating system’s proxy settings have been automatically configured to use the HTTP proxy.
Reading logs
The logs panel on the right side displays real-time connection activity:Log types
-
Standard logs (white text): Normal operation messages including:
- Service startup/shutdown messages
- Connection events
- DNS resolution activity
- Proxy request handling
-
Error logs (red text): Issues that need attention:
- Connection failures
- Port conflicts (e.g., port 8080 or 5201 already in use)
- Configuration errors
- Success logs (green text): Confirmation of successful operations
Log controls
The logs header provides controls for managing log output:- Clear button: Removes all log entries from the display
- Verbose Logging toggle: Enable detailed logging for troubleshooting (see below)
Logs are displayed in real-time and automatically scroll to show the latest entries.
Testing connection
After starting the VPN, verify it’s working correctly:Enable the Test Connection button
The “Test Connection” button becomes active once the VPN is running.
Verbose logging toggle
Verbose logging provides detailed information for troubleshooting connection issues.When to use verbose logging
- Diagnosing connection problems
- Debugging DNS resolution issues
- Monitoring detailed HTTP/HTTPS request flow
- Investigating proxy behavior
What verbose logging shows
With verbose logging enabled, you’ll see:- Every HTTP and HTTPS request (including CONNECT tunnels)
- Detailed SOCKS5 connection establishment
- Request and response status codes
- Socket lifecycle events (open, close, errors)
- Timing information
Enabling verbose logging
The verbose logging preference is persisted in
settings.json and will be remembered between sessions.Stopping the VPN
To disconnect:- Click the “Stop VPN” button
- All services will shut down gracefully
- If system proxy was configured automatically, it will be unconfigured (reverted to previous settings)
- Status indicators will return to “Stopped” state
The VPN can be restarted at any time by clicking “Start VPN” again.