01
Install the app
Download VantaShell for macOS, open the DMG, move the app into Applications, and launch it.
VantaShell docs
App documentation for daily SSH, file, tunnel, and monitoring workflows.
Use this guide to install VantaShell, create your first host, connect safely, move files, forward ports, run commands across hosts, monitor health, and review operational activity.
Stable basics + beta workflow featuresLast updated: May 23, 2026
First 5 Minutes
Get from install to first connection quickly.
This is the fastest path for a new user who just downloaded the app and wants one successful SSH session.
02
Create your first SSH host
Open Home or New Console, enter host, port, username, and choose password, private key, or SSH agent.
03
Test before connecting
Run Test to catch wrong ports, blocked networks, invalid credentials, or missing key permissions early.
04
Verify the host key
Compare the fingerprint with a trusted source. Trust it only when it matches.
05
Open Terminal or SFTP
Connect to the host, run your first command, or open SFTP to browse and transfer files.
Quick App Usage
The shortest path from install to useful work.
Follow these steps for the main daily flow. Each item maps to a screen in the macOS app.
Add a host
Open Home or New Console, choose SSH or RDP, enter the host address, port, username, and authentication method, then run Test before saving or connecting.
Connect safely
For SSH, verify the host key fingerprint before trusting it. For RDP, confirm resolution, security mode, clipboard, and audio options before opening the session.
Work in Terminal
Select an SSH host, connect, and run commands in the terminal. Use search, command history, server info, recording, stop, and disconnect controls from the session toolbar.
Transfer files
Open SFTP, select an SSH host, browse remote folders, and use upload, download, rename, new folder, delete, preview, or text edit actions as needed.
Forward ports
Create a local forwarding rule with the SSH host, local address and port, and remote target. Start the rule, then use the local endpoint from your browser or database client.
Run commands at scale
Use Multi-Exec for the same command on multiple SSH hosts, or Split View when you need parallel interactive terminals. Review each host result before exporting.
Monitor systems
Use Dashboard to review CPU, memory, disk, services, incidents, stale probes, and alert rules. Tune polling and notifications from Settings.
Automate and audit
Use Snippets for reusable commands, Macros for multi-step workflows, Recordings for replay, and Logs for filtered audit trails.
Common Workflows
Where to go for common operational tasks.
Use this table when you know the goal but not the exact screen. The flow column keeps the action sequence compact.
| Goal | Where to go | Recommended flow |
|---|---|---|
| First SSH connection | Home | Enter host details, choose password, private key, or agent, run Test, verify the host key, then connect. |
| Remote file transfer | SFTP | Select an SSH host, navigate remote folders, transfer files, and preview or edit text files when permissions allow it. |
| Local service access | Port Forward | Create a local forward, start it, use the local endpoint, and stop the rule when the task is complete. |
| Fleet command | Multi-Exec | Select target hosts, set a timeout, enable stop-on-error if needed, run the command, then inspect per-host output. |
| Health check | Dashboard | Review current status, investigate warning or critical hosts, adjust alert rules, and check logs for related events. |
| Move to another Mac | Backup & Restore | Export a backup, import it on the new Mac, then re-enter secrets because backups do not include passwords or private key passphrases. |
Screen Previews
A lightweight visual map of the app.
These compact previews help new users connect screen names with the work each area supports.
Preview
Home
Quick SSH/RDP setup
Recent hosts
Test + Connect
Preview
Terminal
SSH session toolbar
History + search
Recording controls
Preview
SFTP
Remote browser
Upload/download
Preview + edit
Preview
Dashboard
CPU/RAM/Disk
Incidents
Alert rules
Screens
Main app areas at a glance.
These are the screens a new user will usually touch first, plus the role each screen plays inside the workspace.
Home
Quick SSH and RDP connection entry, recent hosts, authentication options, test connection, and fast actions.
New Console
Create or edit SSH and RDP hosts, set Linux, Docker, Podman, or Kubernetes capabilities, and validate credentials.
Terminal
Interactive SSH sessions with host key trust, search, history, AI assistance, recording, and server information.
SFTP
Remote file browsing, upload, download, rename, delete, preview or edit text files, and transfer queue handling.
RDP
Remote desktop sessions with resolution, scale mode, clipboard, audio, screenshots, fullscreen, and special keys.
Settings
Terminal behavior, SSH keys, AI providers, recordings, alerts, proxy, backup, profile, language, licensing, and updates.
Settings
Configuration areas worth knowing.
Settings groups product behavior, authentication, security, account state, and release management.
Use General, SSH Keys, and Network & Proxy when troubleshooting SSH connection issues.
Use AI Assistant to enable local AI or configure external providers with API keys stored in Keychain.
Use Backup & Restore to move configurations between Macs. Secrets are excluded and must be re-entered.
Use Updates to select stable or beta channels and install available Sparkle updates.
Use Licensing to review the active plan, limits, license key, and device activation state.
Troubleshooting
Common issues and the first thing to check.
Use these notes before contacting support. They cover the problems most likely to block a first setup or daily workflow.
SSH connection failed
Likely cause: Wrong host, blocked port, unreachable VPN, proxy misconfiguration, or rejected credentials.
Fix: Run Test, confirm host and port, check VPN or proxy settings, then retry with the selected auth method.
Host key changed
Likely cause: The server was rebuilt, DNS now points elsewhere, or a security event changed the fingerprint.
Fix: Do not accept automatically. Verify the new fingerprint from a trusted source before updating trust.
Private key not accepted
Likely cause: Unsupported key permissions, wrong passphrase, missing public key on the server, or the wrong username.
Fix: Check file permissions, re-enter the passphrase, confirm the server authorized_keys entry, and test again.
SFTP permission denied
Likely cause: The connected user does not own the target path or lacks write permission.
Fix: Use a writable directory, adjust server permissions outside VantaShell, or reconnect with the correct account.
Port already in use
Likely cause: Another app or forwarding rule is already listening on the selected local port.
Fix: Stop the conflicting process or choose a different local port before starting the forward.
License activation issue
Likely cause: Wrong account, expired plan, revoked key, device limit, or offline activation state.
Fix: Open Settings > Licensing, refresh the profile, confirm the active plan, and contact support if the key is valid.
For destructive commands, production hosts, or changed SSH fingerprints, pause and verify before retrying.
Security Notes
Keep access deliberate.
VantaShell is designed for local-first professional workflows, but safe operation still depends on explicit verification and conservative defaults.
Verify host keys
Never accept a new SSH host key unless the fingerprint was confirmed through a trusted source.
Confirm risky actions
Keep destructive snippets and macros behind confirmation prompts, especially when using Multi-Exec.
Protect secrets
Passwords, passphrases, API keys, and license fingerprints are stored in Keychain and are excluded from backups.