better-cloudflare-ip is a command-line tool that identifies optimal Cloudflare Anycast IP addresses suited to a user's current network environment.
The tool addresses the problem of selecting the best-performing Cloudflare IP from a large pool by testing candidates against latency and throughput metrics. It works by randomly generating IP addresses from configurable subnets, performing concurrent TCP handshakes with HTTP GET requests to measure round-trip time across three samples, then conducting serial speed tests to identify which IP first reaches a configured bandwidth threshold. The tool verifies responses using Cloudflare's CF-RAY header to ensure legitimate connections.
The project suits users who need to optimize Cloudflare connectivity for their specific network conditions and are willing to run local testing rather than rely on generic recommendations. It supports both IPv4 and IPv6, with separate testing modes for TLS and non-TLS connections. Users can customize the IP address pools by editing local configuration files in CIDR notation, allowing adaptation to specific network scenarios. The tool operates entirely locally without requiring users to upload data to external servers; it only downloads IP pool updates from a server when explicitly requested.
The project maintains an active development cycle with regular updates to its IP address pools. The codebase shows ongoing refinement of the testing methodology and user interface. The tool includes a menu-driven interface offering multiple testing modes and cache management options, suggesting attention to usability alongside core functionality.
