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Quick Start Guide

This guide will help you create your first SSH connection in Xermius and start managing your servers.

Prerequisites​

  • ✅ Xermius installed on your system (Installation Guide)
  • ✅ SSH server details (IP address, username, password or SSH key)
  • ✅ Network access to your server

Step 1: Launch Xermius​

  1. Open Xermius from your applications menu
  2. On first launch, you'll see the Welcome screen

Welcome Screen

Choose Your Setup Mode​

You have three options:

  • 🆕 New User - Start from scratch
  • 📥 Import - Import from PuTTY, MobaXterm, etc.
  • 🔄 Sign In - Sync with existing account

For this guide, we'll choose "New User".

Step 2: Create Your First Host​

A "Host" in Xermius represents a remote server you want to connect to.

From the Dashboard​

  1. Click the "NEW HOST" button (green button in top-right)

  2. Fill in the host details:

Name: My First Server
Host: 192.168.1.100
Port: 22
Username: ubuntu
  1. Choose authentication method:

Option A: Password Authentication​

Authentication: Password
Password: your_password

Option B: SSH Key Authentication​

Authentication: Private Key
Key File: /path/to/id_rsa
Passphrase: (if your key is encrypted)
  1. (Optional) Organize with groups:
Group: Production / Web Servers
  1. Click "Save" or "Save & Connect"

Create Host

Quick Form Fields Explained​

FieldRequiredDescription
Name✅ YesDisplay name for the host
Host✅ YesIP address or domain name
Port✅ YesSSH port (default: 22)
Username✅ YesSSH username
Password⚠️ One ofPassword authentication
Private Key⚠️ One ofSSH key authentication
Group❌ NoOrganize hosts into groups

Step 3: Connect to Your Server​

Open a Terminal Session​

  1. From Dashboard: Click on your host card
  2. Or: Right-click → "New Terminal"
  3. Or: Use keyboard shortcut: Ctrl/Cmd + T

Connecting

What Happens Next​

  1. Connection initiated - Status shows "Connecting..."
  2. Host key verification - First-time connection prompts for fingerprint verification
  3. Authentication - Password or key authentication
  4. Connected! - Terminal is ready to use

Host Key Verification (First Time)​

On first connection, you'll see:

The authenticity of host '192.168.1.100' can't be established.
RSA key fingerprint is SHA256:abc123...xyz789.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting?

Options:

  • ✅ Trust & Connect - Add to known hosts
  • 📋 Copy Fingerprint - Verify manually
  • ❌ Cancel - Abort connection

Host Key Verification

Security Best Practice

Always verify the host key fingerprint with your system administrator before trusting it.

Step 4: Use the Terminal​

Once connected, you have a fully functional SSH terminal:

Basic Operations​

# Check current directory
pwd

# List files
ls -la

# Edit a file
nano myfile.txt

# Install packages (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Terminal Features​

  • Copy/Paste: Right-click or use Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C/V
  • Find Text: Ctrl/Cmd + F
  • Clear Screen: Ctrl + L or type clear
  • New Tab: Ctrl/Cmd + T
  • Close Tab: Ctrl/Cmd + W

Step 5: Open SFTP (File Manager)​

To transfer files to your server:

  1. Right-click your host in the dashboard
  2. Select "New SFTP"
  3. Or click the SFTP button in an active terminal tab

SFTP Interface

Using SFTP​

Upload Files:

  • Drag files from your computer into the SFTP window
  • Or click "Upload" button

Download Files:

  • Right-click a file → "Download"
  • Or drag file to your desktop

File Operations:

  • Create folder: Right-click → "New Folder"
  • Delete: Select → Press Delete
  • Rename: Right-click → "Rename"
  • Permissions: Right-click → "Change Permissions"

Step 6: Explore Port Forwarding (Optional)​

Port forwarding allows you to access services running on your server securely.

Example: Access MySQL Database​

  1. Go to "Port Forwarding" tab (left sidebar)
  2. Click "New Tunnel"
  3. Configure:
Name: MySQL Tunnel
Type: Local
Local Port: 3306
Remote Host: localhost
Remote Port: 3306
  1. Click "Start"
  2. Connect to localhost:3306 from your local machine

Port Forwarding

Common Use Cases​

ServiceLocal PortRemote Port
MySQL33063306
PostgreSQL54325432
MongoDB2701727017
Redis63796379
Web App808080

Step 7: Organize Multiple Hosts​

As you add more servers, organization becomes important.

Create Groups​

  1. Click "Groups" in the left sidebar
  2. Click "New Group"
  3. Enter group name: Production
  4. Drag hosts into the group

Group Hierarchy Example​

📁 My Servers
├── 📁 Production
│   ├── 🖥️ Web Server 1
│   ├── 🖥️ Web Server 2
│   └── 🖥️ Database Server
├── 📁 Development
│   ├── 🖥️ Dev Server
│   └── 🖥️ Test Server
└── 📁 Personal
    └── 🖥️ Raspberry Pi

Step 8: Enable Sync (Optional)​

To access your hosts from multiple devices:

  1. Click "Account" in settings
  2. Click "Create Account" or "Sign In"
  3. Enter email and password
  4. Sync is automatically enabled

Sync Features​

  • ✅ Hosts and groups
  • ✅ Connection settings
  • ✅ Port forwarding rules
  • ✅ SSH keys (encrypted)
  • ❌ Passwords (stored locally only for security)

Common Tasks​

Reconnect to a Host​

Click the host card again or use the recent connections list.

Disconnect​

  • Single tab: Click the X on the tab
  • All tabs: Right-click host → "Disconnect All"

Edit Host Settings​

  1. Right-click host → "Edit"
  2. Modify settings
  3. Click "Save"

Delete a Host​

  1. Right-click host → "Delete"
  2. Confirm deletion
warning

Deleting a host removes it from all synced devices.

Keyboard Shortcuts​

ActionWindows/LinuxmacOS
New TerminalCtrl + TCmd + T
New SFTPCtrl + Shift + FCmd + Shift + F
Close TabCtrl + WCmd + W
FindCtrl + FCmd + F
CopyCtrl + Shift + CCmd + C
PasteCtrl + Shift + VCmd + V
SettingsCtrl + ,Cmd + ,
New HostCtrl + NCmd + N

Troubleshooting​

Connection Failed​

Check:

  • ✅ Server IP and port are correct
  • ✅ Firewall allows SSH (port 22)
  • ✅ SSH service is running on server
  • ✅ Username and password are correct
  • ✅ Network connectivity

Authentication Failed​

Try:

  • Verify username and password
  • Check if password has special characters
  • Try SSH key authentication instead
  • Verify key file permissions (should be 600)

Host Key Changed Warning​

WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED!

This happens when:

  • Server was reinstalled
  • Different server has same IP
  • Possible man-in-the-middle attack

Solution:

  1. Verify with your admin that server changed
  2. Remove old key: Right-click → "Remove Host Key"
  3. Reconnect and trust new key

Next Steps​

Now that you're up and running:

Need Help?​