Intermediate Guide

Connecting to SFTP/SSH Servers Pro

Browse remote servers over SFTP just like local files. Captain's Deck uses macOS's built-in SSH for secure, reliable connections.

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Opening the Connection Dialog

  1. Go to Go -> Connect to SFTP Server in the menu bar
  2. Or press Cmd+K

Connection Settings

Basic Settings

Host Server hostname or IP address (e.g., server.example.com)
Port SSH port (default: 22)
Username Your SSH username
Initial Path Directory to open after connecting (optional)

Authentication

Choose one of these methods:

SSH Key (Recommended)

  • Uses your existing SSH keys from ~/.ssh/
  • Most secure and convenient option
  • Supports RSA, ECDSA, and Ed25519 keys

Password

  • Enter password in the connection dialog
  • Can save password to Keychain for future connections

Setting Up SSH Keys

If you don't have SSH keys set up:

Generate a New Key

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"

Copy to Server

ssh-copy-id [email protected]

Test Connection

ssh [email protected]

Once this works in Terminal, Captain's Deck will use the same keys automatically.

Saving Connections

To save a connection for quick access:

  1. Fill in the connection details
  2. Enter a name in the "Save as" field
  3. Check "Save password to Keychain" if using password auth
  4. Click Connect

Saved connections appear in the dropdown for future use.

Browsing Remote Files

Once connected, you can:

  • Navigate directories just like local files
  • Copy files between local and remote (with F5)
  • Move files between local and remote (with F6)
  • Rename and delete remote files
  • Create directories on the server
  • View and edit text files

Tip: Open a local folder in one pane and the remote server in the other for easy file transfers.

Disconnecting

To disconnect from the server:

  • Navigate to a local path (use bookmarks or Cmd+G)
  • Or close the tab with Cmd+W

Troubleshooting

"Connection refused"

  • Verify the hostname and port are correct
  • Check if the server's SSH service is running
  • Ensure firewall allows SSH connections

"Permission denied"

  • Verify your username is correct
  • Check your SSH key is added to the server's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
  • If using password, verify it's correct

"Host key verification failed"

  • The server's identity has changed (could be server reinstall or security issue)
  • Remove old key: ssh-keygen -R hostname
  • Connect again and verify the new fingerprint

Slow connection

  • Try a closer server location if available
  • Check your network connection
  • Large directories may take time to list

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