Desktop application

Bayesian SSH provides a keyboard-driven desktop application alongside the command-line tool. Both use the same local SQLite database, configuration, and environment profiles.

Launching the application

Launch the desktop interface from your application menu, or run it from a terminal:

bssh desktop

The command starts bayesian-ssh-desktop in the background, detached from your terminal session. You can also run the binary directly:

bayesian-ssh-desktop

To start the desktop application with a specific environment profile, pass the --env flag:

bssh desktop --env staging

Interface layout

The sidebar organizes your workflow into dedicated views:

The desktop app host list showing saved connections, tags, and quick actions

Hosts: View, filter, and search saved connections. See rankings, connection status, tags, and quick actions.
Terminals: A built-in multi-tab terminal emulator. Connect to multiple hosts simultaneously, switch or reorder tabs, and search terminal output.
Files: An SFTP file manager for browsing remote directories, uploading, and downloading files. You can toggle this view in Settings.
Keys: Inspect local SSH keys, generate new keypairs, and view keys currently active in your SSH agent.
Security check: Run security audits directly from the interface (bssh audit) to identify weak algorithms, missing keys, or insecure permissions.
History: Review past connection sessions and usage timestamps.
Teams: Manage team connections, member invitations, device approvals, and verified audit logs.
Settings: Adjust application preferences, appearance, terminal fonts, updates, and environment profiles.

Command palette and keyboard shortcuts

Open the command palette from anywhere by pressing Ctrl+K (or ⌘K on macOS).

Inside an active terminal tab on Linux or Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+P (⌘K on macOS) to open the palette without intercepting shell control chords.

Command palette searching actions and host verbs

The command palette allows you to search hosts, switch views, edit connections, browse files, and run commands. Press ?, F1, or Ctrl+/ (⌘/ on macOS) to open the full keyboard shortcut sheet.

Common shortcuts

Action	Linux / Windows	macOS	Context
Command palette	`Ctrl`+`K`	`⌘K`	Anywhere
Command palette inside terminal	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`P`	`⌘K`	Terminal
Settings	`Ctrl`+`,`	`⌘,`	Anywhere
Keyboard shortcuts sheet	`?` / `F1` / `Ctrl`+`/`	`?` / `F1` / `⌘/`	Anywhere
Focus filter or search	`/`	`/`	Global
Switch view by number (`1`–`7`)	`1` to `7`	`1` to `7`	Global
New host	`N` or `Ctrl`+`N`	`N` or `⌘N`	Global
Connect to selected host	`Enter`	`Enter`	Hosts
Connect in a new tab	`Shift`+`Enter`	`Shift`+`Enter`	Hosts
Browse files	`Ctrl`+`Enter`	`⌘Enter`	Hosts
Edit host	`E`	`E`	Hosts
Share with a team	`S`	`S`	Hosts
Copy ssh command	`C`	`C`	Hosts
Delete host	`Delete`	`Delete`	Hosts
Navigate selection	`↑` / `↓` or `J` / `K`	`↑` / `↓` or `J` / `K`	Hosts
Next terminal tab	`Ctrl`+`Tab`	`Ctrl`+`Tab`	Terminal
Previous terminal tab	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Tab`	Terminal
Close terminal tab	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`W`	`⌘W`	Terminal
Reopen closed tab	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`T`	`⌘T`	Terminal
Find in terminal buffer	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`F`	`⌘F`	Terminal
Zoom in / out / reset	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`=` / `-` / `0`	`⌘=` / `-` / `0`	Terminal
Cancel connection in progress	`Esc`	`Esc`	Terminal

Themes and density

Configure appearance preferences under Settings → Appearance:

Appearance settings showing theme and density options

Themes

Dark: High-contrast dark theme designed for low-light environments.
Light: Clean, light color scheme.
Match system: Automatically switches between dark and light themes based on your desktop operating system settings.

Row density

Density controls the vertical spacing of list rows throughout the application:

Compact: 32 px rows. Maximizes visible items for large host lists.
Comfortable: 40 px rows. Balanced spacing for everyday use (default).
Spacious: 48 px rows. Relaxed spacing suited for touch screens and high-resolution displays.

Software updates

Open Settings → Updates to inspect your current version and check for software updates. The update mechanism reflects your installation method:

Snap package: Updates are handled automatically in the background by the Snap Store. You can update manually using:
```
sudo snap refresh bayesian-ssh
```
Manual installation: If installed via install.sh or your operating system package manager, update by re-running the installation script or through your package manager.
Direct GitHub release: Click Check for updates to query GitHub for newer signed releases. When an update is available, click Install update to download and apply it. The application prompts for confirmation if active terminal sessions are running.