Computer on macOS or Linux

A computer needs only a small agent. It connects to the cloud on its own and keeps that one connection, so no incoming ports are needed: the computer works behind NAT too.

On a Mac, the app is easier

The local terminal for Mac keeps the connection to the cloud while it runs, and that Mac needs no agent.

Connect it

In tTerm Web, open Add a machine and choose Computer. Run the command in a terminal on that computer, as yourself, not with sudo:

On the computer

curl -fsSL https://connect.tterm.net/c/<token> | sh

The computer appears in the project a few seconds after the command finishes. The command works once, for the next 10 minutes.

What the command does

• Puts the agent in ~/.tterm-web: one file for this system from our releases, checked against the checksum in the command’s script before it runs.
• Makes a key of its own for this computer and keeps it there, readable by you only. The token in the command only lets it join, once.
• Starts the agent whenever you log in. The agent runs as you, never as root, and opens no ports.
• The agent updates itself, only to versions signed by our release build, and only while no terminal is open on the computer.

macOS

launchd starts the agent. The first time, macOS may ask whether tterm-agent may open your Desktop and Documents folders: allow it if you want to work with them from the terminal.

Linux

systemd starts the agent, as your user. A server with no SSH from outside connects the same way: the agent dials out on its own.

Remove it

Remove the computer on the project’s page: the agent hears that and stops (more). To take the agent itself off the computer, run:

On the computer

~/.tterm-web/uninstall.sh