> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://andrewmcodes.gitbook.io/vcr/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://andrewmcodes.gitbook.io/vcr/configuration/allow_http_connections_when_no_cassette.md).

# Allow HTTP connections when no cassette

Usually, HTTP requests made when no cassette is inserted will [result in an error](https://github.com/andrewmcodes/vcr-docs/tree/7a05e6f0bf36d64e518b44d4e671c079c47fdf3b/cassettes/error-for-http-request-made-when-no-cassette-is-in-use/README.md). You can set the `allow_http_connections_when_no_cassette` configuration option to true to allow requests, if you do not want to use VCR for everything.

## Background ()

*Given* a file named "vcr\_setup.rb" with:

```
if ARGV.include?('--with-server')
  $server = start_sinatra_app do
    get('/') { "Hello" }
  end
end

require 'vcr'

VCR.configure do |c|
  c.allow_http_connections_when_no_cassette = true
  c.hook_into :webmock
  c.cassette_library_dir = 'cassettes'
  c.default_cassette_options = {
    :match_requests_on => [:method, :host, :path]
  }
end
```

*And* the directory "vcr/cassettes" does not exist.

## Allow HTTP connections when no cassette

*Given* a file named "no\_cassette.rb" with:

```
require 'vcr_setup.rb'

puts "Response: " + Net::HTTP.get_response('localhost', '/', $server ? $server.port : 0).body
```

*When* I run `ruby no_cassette.rb --with-server`

*Then* the output should contain "Response: Hello".

## Cassettes record and replay as normal

*Given* a file named "record\_replay\_cassette.rb" with:

```
require 'vcr_setup.rb'

VCR.use_cassette('localhost') do
  puts "Response: " + Net::HTTP.get_response('localhost', '/', $server ? $server.port : 0).body
end
```

*When* I run `ruby record_replay_cassette.rb --with-server`

*Then* the output should contain "Response: Hello"

*And* the file "cassettes/localhost.yml" should contain "Hello"

*When* I run `ruby record_replay_cassette.rb`

*Then* the output should contain "Response: Hello".


---

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