> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opus-host.de/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect to Your Opus Host VPS Using SSH (All Platforms)

> Learn how to connect to your Opus Host VPS over SSH from Windows, Mac, or Linux — and how to set up SSH key authentication for better security.

SSH (Secure Shell) lets you connect to your VPS from your computer's terminal and run commands remotely. It's the most common way to manage a Linux server — giving you full control over your VPS through a fast, encrypted connection. All Opus Host VPS instances have SSH enabled by default on port 22.

## Find your SSH credentials

Before connecting, you'll need three pieces of information from your Opus Host dashboard:

* **IP address** — shown on the main VPS overview page.
* **Username** — `root` by default on all fresh installs.
* **Password** — displayed on the dashboard after provisioning or reinstall. If you've lost it, you can reset it from the **Settings** page.

Navigate to your VPS in the [Opus Host control panel](https://opus-host.de/login) and keep this tab open while you follow the steps below.

## Connecting from Mac / Linux

Mac and Linux both include a built-in SSH client, so no extra software is needed.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Terminal">
    Open the **Terminal** application. On Mac, you can find it in *Applications → Utilities → Terminal* or search for it with Spotlight (`⌘ Space`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the SSH command">
    Type the following command, replacing `YOUR_SERVER_IP` with your actual VPS IP address, then press **Enter**:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the host fingerprint">
    The first time you connect, you'll see a message like:

    ```text theme={null}
    The authenticity of host '203.0.113.42' can't be established.
    Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?
    ```

    Type `yes` and press **Enter**. This stores the server's fingerprint so you won't be prompted again on future connections.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your password">
    When prompted, type your root password (from your Opus Host dashboard) and press **Enter**. Note that the cursor won't move as you type — this is normal behavior for password fields in a terminal.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connecting from Windows

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows Terminal">
    Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a built-in OpenSSH client, so you can connect directly from **Windows Terminal**, **PowerShell**, or **Command Prompt** — no extra software required.

    Open Windows Terminal (search for it in the Start menu) and run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
    ```

    Accept the host fingerprint prompt by typing `yes`, then enter your password when asked. The steps are identical to the Mac / Linux instructions above.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="PuTTY">
    PuTTY is a free, popular SSH client for Windows that provides a graphical interface for managing connections.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download PuTTY">
        Download the PuTTY installer from the official site at [putty.org](https://www.putty.org) and run it to install.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter your server's IP address">
        In the **Host Name (or IP address)** field, type your VPS IP address.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Confirm port and connection type">
        Ensure **Port** is set to `22` and the connection type is set to **SSH**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Click Open">
        Click the **Open** button. If prompted with a security alert about the server's host key, click **Accept** to trust it and continue.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Log in as root">
        When the terminal window opens, type `root` at the `login as:` prompt and press **Enter**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter your password">
        Type your root password (from your FreeHost dashboard) and press **Enter** to complete the login.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Setting up SSH key authentication (recommended)

SSH keys are a more secure alternative to password-based login. Instead of typing a password, your local machine and your VPS exchange cryptographic keys to verify your identity. Once set up, connecting is faster and significantly more secure.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate a key pair on your local machine">
    Run the following command in your local terminal, replacing the email with your own:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your@email.com"
    ```

    You'll be asked where to save the key (press **Enter** to accept the default location) and optionally set a passphrase for extra protection. This creates two files: a private key (`~/.ssh/id_ed25519`) that stays on your machine, and a public key (`~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub`) that goes to your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy your public key to your VPS">
    Use `ssh-copy-id` to install your public key on the server automatically:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh-copy-id root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
    ```

    You'll be asked for your root password one last time. After this, your public key will be added to `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` on your VPS.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test key-based login">
    Verify that key authentication is working by connecting again:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
    ```

    If everything is set up correctly, you'll be logged in without being prompted for a password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable password authentication (optional but recommended)">
    Once you've confirmed your SSH key works, you can disable password-based login to prevent brute-force attacks.

    Open the SSH daemon configuration file on your VPS:

    ```bash theme={null}
    nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
    ```

    Find the line `PasswordAuthentication yes` and change it to:

    ```bash theme={null}
    PasswordAuthentication no
    ```

    Save the file, then restart the SSH service for the change to take effect:

    ```bash theme={null}
    systemctl restart sshd
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Using SSH keys is much more secure than passwords — they're immune to brute-force guessing attacks. Once set up, you won't need to type a password to connect, making your workflow faster too.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  If you disable password authentication, **make absolutely sure your SSH key login is working first** before closing your current session. If your key isn't set up correctly and you disable passwords, you will lock yourself out. Use the **in-browser console** in the Opus Host control panel as an emergency fallback to regain access.
</Warning>