Connecting to a Linux server with SSH (Windows, Mac)
Here's how to connect to your newly created Linux server with SSH. You can find the connection info (IP, account, password) in the "Connection info" card under Dashboard → server details.
Connecting from Windows
Windows 10/11 comes with an SSH client built into the terminal.
- Open PowerShell or Terminal from the Start menu.
- Enter the command below. (Replace
usernameandip-addresswith the connection info from your Dashboard)
ssh username@ip-address
- The first time you connect, when asked
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?, typeyes. - Enter your password. (It's normal for nothing to appear on screen as you type.)
Connecting from macOS / Linux
Open the built-in Terminal app and enter the same command.
ssh username@ip-address
If your password is too long to type
In the "Connection info" card on your Dashboard, click Password to copy the password.
In the default Windows PowerShell window, pressing Ctrl+V at the password prompt doesn't paste; instead, an invisible character is entered and the password comes out wrong. With the SSH programs below, you can save your password and connect with a single click.
| Program | Devices | Price | Save password |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termius | Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS · Android | Basic (Starter) free | Yes |
| Xshell | Windows | Free for personal/educational use | Yes |
| MobaXterm | Windows | Home Edition free | Yes |
| PuTTY | Windows | Free | No (paste with right-click) |
Create a new connection (session/host) and enter the IP address, port 22, username and password. If someone else uses a PC where your password is saved, they can get into your server too, so don't save it on shared PCs.
Connecting without a password using SSH keys (optional)
If typing your password every time is a hassle, registering an SSH key makes it easier.
# 1. Generate an SSH key on your local PC (skip if you already have one)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519
# 2. Register the generated public key on the server
ssh-copy-id username@ip-address
If Windows doesn't have ssh-copy-id, copy the contents of ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub and add it directly to the ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file on the server.
Common problems
- I can't connect — First check that the server status is "Running".
- Permission denied (publickey,password) — Double-check your username and password. They're case-sensitive.
- The connection keeps dropping — Turning on the KeepAlive option in your SSH client's settings prevents the connection from dropping while idle.