Streamline Your Remote Workflow with sshtool: The Simple SSH Session Manager
For system administrators, developers, and DevOps engineers, managing multiple SSH connections is a daily reality. Juggling dozens of IP addresses, hostnames, usernames, and custom ports can quickly become a cumbersome task. While the standard ~/.ssh/config file is powerful, editing and maintaining it can be tedious. This is where a dedicated session manager can transform your workflow, and sshtool offers a refreshingly simple, command-line solution.
If you find yourself constantly searching through notes or command history to find the right connection string, it’s time to consider a more organized approach. sshtool is an interactive script designed to centralize and simplify the way you handle remote SSH sessions, boosting your productivity and reducing mental overhead.
What is sshtool and Why Do You Need It?
sshtool is a lightweight, interactive SSH session manager that runs directly in your terminal. It provides a straightforward menu-driven interface for adding, listing, connecting to, and deleting your SSH hosts. Instead of manually typing ssh username@server-ip-address -p 2222 every time, you can simply launch the tool, select a pre-configured server from a list, and connect instantly.
The primary benefits of integrating a tool like this into your workflow include:
- Centralized Management: Keep all your SSH connection details in one manageable place, eliminating the need for scattered notes or a complex config file.
- Improved Efficiency: Connect to any of your saved servers with just a few keystrokes. The interactive menu saves you valuable time and prevents typos in complex hostnames or IP addresses.
- Enhanced Organization: Easily add descriptive names (aliases) to your connections, so you can identify “WebApp Production Server” instead of remembering
192.168.1.101.
Core Features at a Glance
sshtool operates on a few simple commands, making it incredibly easy to learn and use. Here are its main functions.
Adding a New SSH Connection
To add a new server, you use the --add or -a flag. The tool will then interactively prompt you for the necessary information:
- Alias: A memorable, friendly name for the server.
- User: The username for the SSH login.
- Host: The server’s IP address or hostname.
- Port: The SSH port (press Enter to default to 22).
This guided process ensures all necessary details are captured correctly without having to manually edit a configuration file.
Connecting to a Saved Server
This is the tool’s primary function. Simply run sshtool without any arguments, and you will be presented with a numbered list of all your saved connections. Type the number corresponding to the server you wish to access, press Enter, and you’ll be connected immediately.
Listing All Saved Connections
If you just want a quick overview of all the servers you have configured, use the --list or -l flag. This will print a clean, formatted list of your saved hosts directly to the terminal without initiating the interactive connection menu.
Deleting an Existing Connection
Server decommissioning is a part of any system administrator’s job. To keep your list clean, you can easily remove a connection using the --delete or -d flag. The tool will display your list of saved hosts and prompt you to enter the number of the one you want to remove.
Getting Started: Installation and Configuration
sshtool is a Python-based script, making it platform-independent and easy to install.
- Prerequisites: Ensure you have
gitandpythoninstalled on your system. - Clone the Repository: Download the tool from its source repository using
git. - Run the Tool: Navigate into the downloaded directory and execute the script. All connection data is stored by default in a plain text file located at
~/.ssh/sshtool.conf.
For easier access, consider adding an alias to your shell profile (e.g., .bashrc or .zshrc) or moving the script to a directory in your system’s PATH (like /usr/local/bin). This allows you to run sshtool from anywhere in your terminal.
A Critical Note on Security
It is important to understand that sshtool is a session manager, not a replacement for fundamental SSH security practices. It simplifies the act of connecting but still relies on the underlying OpenSSH client.
Therefore, you should always prioritize using SSH key-based authentication over passwords. sshtool works seamlessly with your existing SSH keys. By using keys, you ensure that even though the connection details are stored in a configuration file, access to your servers remains secured by strong cryptography. As a best practice, ensure the permissions on your configuration file (~/.ssh/sshtool.conf) are restricted to only your user account (chmod 600).
For anyone looking for a no-frills, efficient way to manage remote connections without leaving the command line, sshtool is a powerful contender that is well worth exploring.
Source: https://www.linuxlinks.com/sshtool-simple-interactive-ssh-session-manager/
