ESSH is a terminal-native SSH client.
It combines a text user interface with tools aimed at people managing multiple remote systems, letting them work across concurrent SSH sessions while monitoring host health, moving files, handling port forwards, and keeping diagnostics and audit information in one place.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Supports up to 9 concurrent SSH sessions with fast switching between connections.
- Provides a built-in host monitor showing CPU, memory, disk, load, network activity, uptime, and top processes.
- Imports hosts from existing
~/.ssh/configfiles and supports tagging hosts and defining host groups. - Runs commands across grouped hosts with parallel fan-out for fleet operations.
- Supports public key, password, and SSH agent authentication, including passphrase-protected OpenSSH private keys.
- Includes jump host and ProxyJump support for more complex SSH topologies.
- Offers local port forwarding with live add and remove controls.
- Includes a two-pane file browser for uploading and downloading files.
- Maintains structured JSON audit logs, session diagnostics, and optional asciicast recordings.
- Provides configurable TOFU host key verification modes with
strict,prompt, andautooptions.
Website: github.com/matthart1983/essh
Support:
Developer: Matt Hartley
License: MIT License
ESSH is written in Rust. Learn Rust with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Terminal-Based SSH Frontends | |
|---|---|
| LazySSH | Built for managing your fleet of servers directly from your terminal |
| SSHM | Modern, interactive SSH Manager for your terminal |
| SKM | Simple and powerful SSH keys manager |
| SSHM * | SSH manager |
| GOTO | Simple SSH manager |
| TermiRs | Modern, async SSH terminal client built with Rust and Ratatui |
| SSHR | TUI SSH manager |
| SSH-List | SSH connection manager with a TUI interface |
| lssh | List-based ssh, scp, sftp client |
| Peroxide | Terminal-based SSH connection manager |
| sshup | Simple SSH manager with a text-user interface |
| SSH Manager TUI | SSH connection manager with a modern color interface |
| sshmate | Simplify interactions with SSH servers |
| sshtool | Simple interactive SSH session manager |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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