Glossary

What is an SSH config file?

An SSH config file is a plain text file that remembers how to reach your machines. Instead of typing ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 parsa@100.96.237.43, you write it once and type ssh mini.

Where it lives

SSH config file location by system
SystemPath
macOS and Linux~/.ssh/config
WindowsC:\Users\<you>\.ssh\config

  • macOS and Linux

    Path
    ~/.ssh/config

  • Windows

    Path
    C:\Users\<you>\.ssh\config

The file has no extension. Create it if it doesn't exist.

What goes in it

Host mini
  HostName 100.96.237.43
  User parsa
  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
  • Host: the short name you'll type.
  • HostName: the real address, an IP or a domain name.
  • User: the account on that machine.
  • IdentityFile: which private key to use.

Common mistakes

  • Sharing the wrong key file. Share only the .pub file. The file without .pub is your private key.
  • Windows key permissions. OpenSSH on Windows refuses a private key other users can read. Fix it with icacls.
  • Opening port 22 to the internet to reach a home machine. Use Tailscale instead.

Where Pane fits

Pane connects to your machines over Tailscale or SSH, then gives you their terminals, files, dev servers and agents from any device. Use your computer from any device

Related

Sources

Corrections
If anything here is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it and update the date at the top. Open an issue on GitHub
Sources
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By Parsa Khazaeepoul, co-founder of Pane. .