SSH Lite Client

Desktop app for quickly editing config files and scripts on remote Linux machines over SSH/SFTP.

Why this exists

Sometimes you just want to SSH into a Linux box (Raspberry Pi, home server, VM, etc.) and quickly edit a config file or a small script.

VS Code Remote SSH can do this, but for quick edits it can feel heavy:

• slower startup
• multiple setup/login steps
• more IDE overhead than needed for small maintenance changes

WinSCP is usually faster for file access, but it does not provide the same built-in editing flow this app is aiming for.

SSH Lite Client is built for that quick-fix workflow:

• connect fast
• browse files fast
• open/edit/save in one lightweight app
• optional terminal when needed

Install

1. Go to the project’s Releases page on GitHub.
2. Download the asset for your OS:
   • Windows: SSH Lite Client-<version>-Setup-x64.exe
   • Linux: SSH Lite Client-<version>-x64.AppImage (or .deb)
   • macOS: SSH Lite Client-<version>-<arch>.dmg (or .zip)
3. Run/install it for your platform.

macOS (unsigned build) install note

Current macOS builds are unsigned, so Gatekeeper may block first launch with a misleading "damaged" message.

Recommended path:

1. Use the .zip asset.
2. Move SSH Lite Client.app to /Applications.
3. Run:

   xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/SSH Lite Client.app"

4. Right-click the app and choose Open for first launch.

First-time use

1. Enter host, port, username, and password (or load a private key).
2. Click Connect.
3. If prompted, verify and trust the host fingerprint.
4. Browse files on the left, open/edit on the right, and click Save.

Optional: Save a profile

• Fill connection details
• Enter a profile name
• Click Save Profile for quick reconnects later

Current features

• SSH connection with password or private key content
• Private key file picker
• Host key trust confirmation + saved trusted fingerprints
• Saved connection profiles (name, host, port, username, start path)
• Optional secure credential storage in OS keychain (when available)
• Remote directory browsing (SFTP)
• Upload/download file transfers
• Open/edit/save remote files
• Built-in interactive terminal pane (xterm.js)
• Dark mode by default, with switchable theme in Settings
• Resizable file explorer pane
• Help → About menu

How it is built (and why)

SSH Lite Client is built with Electron + Node.js + ssh2.

• Electron: desktop app delivery for Windows with fast UI iteration.
• Node.js main process: manages SSH/SFTP sessions, profile storage, and app-level operations.
• ssh2: handles SSH shell + SFTP in one mature library.
• Vanilla HTML/CSS/JS renderer: keeps the app lightweight and easy to evolve.

Notes

• Profiles and trusted host fingerprints are stored in Electron app data.
• Packaging currently produces unsigned installers.