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Tips & Tricks

Master Xermius with these pro tips, keyboard shortcuts, and productivity hacks discovered by power users.

🚀 Productivity Hacks​

Instead of scrolling:

Press Cmd/Ctrl + K
Type host name
Hit Enter
Connected! ⚡

Pro tip: Assign memorable names to frequently used hosts like "prod", "staging", "db" for instant access.

2. Multi-Terminal Workflow​

Split terminals for parallel work:

Cmd/Ctrl + D → Split horizontal
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + D → Split vertical

Work on multiple servers simultaneously:
Left: Production monitoring
Right: Staging deployment
Bottom: Local testing

3. Command Snippets for Repetitive Tasks​

Stop typing the same commands:

Create snippets for:
- Docker deployments
- Database backups
- Log analysis
- Server monitoring

One click = Full command executed!

Example snippet:

Name: "Deploy Production"
Command: cd /var/www && git pull && npm install && pm2 restart app
Variables: None needed
Saved: 5 minutes per deploy

4. Port Forwarding + Browser = Local Testing​

Access remote databases locally:

1. Forward port: 
   Local 3306 → Remote 3306 (MySQL)

2. Open localhost:
   mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3306

3. Use local tools:
   - MySQL Workbench
   - TablePlus
   - Any GUI tool

No VPN needed!

5. Cloudflare Tunnels for Instant Demos​

Share localhost with clients:

1. Start dev server: localhost:3000
2. Create tunnel → Get public URL
3. Share: https://demo-abc.trycloudflare.com
4. Client sees your work instantly

No deployment, no waiting!

⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts Power User Guide​

Essential Shortcuts​

Navigation:

Cmd/Ctrl + K         Quick search/open
Cmd/Ctrl + ,         Settings
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N  New host
Cmd/Ctrl + T         New terminal tab
Cmd/Ctrl + W         Close tab
Cmd/Ctrl + Q         Quit app

Terminal:

Cmd/Ctrl + L         Clear screen
Cmd/Ctrl + F         Find in terminal
Cmd/Ctrl + C         Copy (when text selected)
Cmd/Ctrl + V         Paste
Cmd/Ctrl + +/-       Zoom in/out
Cmd/Ctrl + 0         Reset zoom

Panes:

Cmd/Ctrl + D         Split horizontal
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + D  Split vertical
Cmd/Ctrl + ]         Next pane
Cmd/Ctrl + [         Previous pane
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + W  Close pane

Quick Actions:

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + C  Connection Tester
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + S  Force sync
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + L  View logs
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P  User profile

Hidden Shortcuts​

Few people know these:

Double-click tab     → Rename
Middle-click tab     → Close tab
Cmd/Ctrl + Click     → Open link
Shift + Click        → Select text
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + K → Clear history

🎯 Workflow Optimization​

Morning Routine Automation​

Connect to all servers at once:

1. Tag servers: "morning-check"
2. Select all with tag
3. Right-click → Connect All
4. All terminals open instantly

Check 5 servers in 10 seconds!

Deployment Workflow​

Zero-downtime deployment:

1. Create snippet: "Deploy with Backup"
   Commands:
   - Backup current version
   - Pull new code
   - Run tests
   - Restart services
   - Verify health

2. One click deploys

3. Check logs in Activity Logs

4. Rollback snippet ready if needed

Monitoring Dashboard​

Create custom monitoring setup:

1. Split terminal into 4 panes

2. Connect each to different server

3. Run monitoring commands:
   - Top pane: htop (resources)
   - Right: tail -f access.log
   - Bottom: docker stats
   - Left: watch 'systemctl status'

4. Save as "Monitoring Layout"

5. One-click monitoring dashboard!

💡 Feature Combinations​

1. Snippets + Variables = Power​

Dynamic snippets for any server:

Name: "Docker Deploy"
Command: docker pull {{IMAGE}} && docker-compose up -d {{SERVICE}}

Variables:
- IMAGE: Prompt each time
- SERVICE: Prompt each time

One snippet, infinite variations!

2. Port Forwarding + Cloudflare Tunnel​

Access internal service from anywhere:

1. Port forward internal service:
   Local 8080 → Remote 8080

2. Create Cloudflare tunnel:
   Tunnel localhost:8080

3. Get public URL:
   https://internal-tool-xyz.trycloudflare.com

4. Access internal tool from phone, anywhere!

3. Local Terminal + SSH Terminal​

Test locally, deploy remotely:

Split view:
- Left: Local terminal (test commands)
- Right: SSH terminal (execute on server)

Copy-paste tested commands
Zero mistakes in production!

4. SFTP + Snippets​

Automate file management:

Create snippets for:
- Upload build: "scp -r dist/ user@server:/var/www/"
- Download logs: "scp user@server:/var/log/app.log ~/Downloads/"
- Sync directories: "rsync -avz..."

File operations = One click

🔐 Security Tips​

1. SSH Key for Everything​

Stop typing passwords:

1. Generate one ED25519 key
2. Deploy to all servers
3. Never type password again

More secure + More convenient!

2. Jump Host Pattern​

Secure access to internal servers:

Internet → Bastion (SSH key) → Internal Servers

Setup:
1. Connect to bastion
2. Configure as jump host
3. Connect to internal through bastion

One connection = Full access

3. Separate Keys for Different Environments​

Organization strategy:

Keys:
- Production Key (passphrase protected)
- Staging Key
- Development Key
- Client A Key
- Personal Projects Key

One compromised ≠ All compromised

4. Enable 2FA + Auto-Lock​

Laptop security:

Settings → Security:
[✓] 2FA enabled
[✓] Auto-lock: 5 minutes
[✓] Require password on wake

Laptop stolen = Data safe

🎨 Customization Tips​

1. Color Code Your Hosts​

Visual organization:

Production: Red
Staging: Yellow  
Development: Green
Databases: Blue
Clients: Purple

Spot production instantly!

2. Naming Convention​

Smart host names:

Pattern: [env]-[type]-[location]-[number]

Examples:
- prod-web-us-01
- stag-db-eu-02
- dev-api-local-01

Sorted perfectly!
Instantly recognizable!

3. Terminal Color Schemes​

Different colors for different environments:

Production: High contrast (careful!)
Staging: Standard colors
Development: Relaxed colors

Visual cue = Safety

4. Custom Layouts​

Save workspace layouts:

Layout "Full Stack Dev":
- Top left: Frontend server
- Top right: Backend API
- Bottom left: Database terminal
- Bottom right: Local terminal

Load layout = Instant workspace

📊 Monitoring & Debugging​

1. Activity Logs for Audit​

Track everything:

Enable Activity Logs
Filter by:
- Date range
- Host
- Action type

Perfect for:
- "What did I deploy yesterday?"
- "Who accessed production?"
- Security audits

2. Connection Tester Before Changes​

Test before you wreck:

Before production changes:
1. Connection Tester
2. Verify credentials work
3. Test commands in staging
4. Then apply to production

Zero surprises!

3. Request Debugger for Webhooks​

Understand webhook payloads:

1. Start Request Debugger
2. Configure webhook provider
3. Trigger event
4. See EXACT payload
5. Implement accordingly

No guessing!

🚄 Speed Tips​

1. Keyboard-Only Navigation​

Never touch mouse:

Cmd/Ctrl + K → Search host
Type name → Enter
Cmd/Ctrl + D → Split
Cmd/Ctrl + ] → Switch panes

10x faster!

2. Quick Snippets Access​

Favorite shortcuts:

Create snippets:
1. "ps" → ps aux | grep
2. "logs" → tail -f /var/log/syslog
3. "disk" → df -h
4. "mem" → free -m

Type shortcut → Auto-complete

3. Tag-Based Batch Operations​

Manage groups:

Tag: "monitoring-servers"

One click:
- Connect all
- Run snippet on all
- Disconnect all

Manage 20 servers = 1 action

4. Sync for Instant Setup​

New device setup:

1. Install Xermius
2. Sign in
3. Enable sync
4. All hosts/settings appear

0 to productive in 2 minutes!

🔧 Advanced Tricks​

1. SSH Config Integration​

Import existing setup:

~/.ssh/config exists?

Import to Xermius:
1. Hosts → Import from SSH Config
2. All hosts imported
3. Keep using familiar names

Zero relearning!

2. Environment-Specific Snippets​

Tag snippets by environment:

Tags: "production", "staging", "dev"

Filter by tag:
- Only production snippets visible
- Prevents mistakes
- Clean organization

3. Dynamic Port Forwarding Chain​

Complex forwarding:

Your PC
  → SSH to bastion (port 2222)
    → Forward to DB (port 3306)
      → Forward to Redis (port 6379)

Access all internal services!

4. Notification Filters​

Important alerts only:

Enable notifications for:
[✓] Failed connections
[✓] Security warnings
[ ] Successful syncs
[ ] Info messages

Focus on what matters!

💼 Team Collaboration​

1. Shared Host Naming​

Team convention:

Agree on naming:
[env]-[team]-[type]-[number]

prod-backend-api-01
stag-frontend-web-02

Everyone knows what's what!

2. Export/Import for Onboarding​

New team member:

1. Export approved hosts
2. Share encrypted file
3. New member imports
4. Instant access to all servers

Onboarding: 5 minutes!

3. Snippet Library​

Share useful snippets:

Create team snippet pack:
- Deployment procedures
- Monitoring commands
- Debugging steps
- Emergency rollback

Everyone uses same commands!

📱 Mobile Tips​

Access from phone:

Web Platform:
app.xermius.com

Quick actions:
- Check subscription
- View devices
- Revoke lost device
- Update payment
- Create support ticket

Manage on the go!

🎓 Learning Path​

Master Xermius in order:

Week 1: Basics

□ Create hosts
□ SSH connections
□ Basic terminal usage
□ File transfers (SFTP)

Week 2: Productivity

□ Keyboard shortcuts
□ Split terminals
□ Create snippets
□ Port forwarding basics

Week 3: Advanced

□ SSH keys setup
□ Cloudflare tunnels
□ Custom layouts
□ Activity monitoring

Week 4: Power User

□ Complex port forwarding
□ Snippet with variables
□ Batch operations
□ Team workflows

🏆 Pro User Checklist​

You're a pro when you:

□ Use SSH keys exclusively
□ Have 20+ saved snippets
□ Split terminals regularly
□ Use keyboard shortcuts 90% of time
□ Port forward without thinking
□ Cloudflare tunnel for demos
□ Never manually type repetitive commands
□ Tag and organize everything
□ Sync across 3+ devices
□ Help others with Xermius

💬 Community Tips​

From real users:

Tip from @devops_mike:

"Create a 'morning health check' snippet that runs on all tagged servers. See status of everything in 30 seconds."

Tip from @sarah_codes:

"Use Cloudflare Tunnels + Request Debugger to understand any webhook. Saved me hours of documentation reading!"

Tip from @sysadmin_joe:

"Split terminal: top for monitoring, bottom for commands. Never lose track of what system is doing."

Tip from @frontend_dev:

"Port forward backend API, test frontend locally. No mock data, real production API!"

🔗 Related Docs​

Got a tip to share? Join our community forum and help other users! 🎉