DHIVA LABS · LEARN

Appearance

Beginner guide ​

By the end you will have two computers paired, a terminal open on the other machine, and ssh working between them from any terminal.

What you need ​

  • Two computers on the same network, each with CrossShell installed. See Install.
  • The administrator password on each, for one setup prompt.
  • Both computers in front of you, so you can compare a code on the two screens.

Step 1: get each machine ready ​

Do this on both computers.

  1. Open CrossShell.

  2. Open This machine (the gear icon).

    The Checks list shows what is ready and what is not.

  3. If SSH server shows as not running, set it up:

    • On Windows, select Set up OpenSSH Server (admin prompt) and approve the prompt.
    • On Linux, select Install & enable openssh-server (password prompt) and enter your password.

    Tick Allow SSH, pairing and discovery from the local network in the firewall so the other machine can reach this one.

  4. Select Re-check and confirm the checks pass.

Good to know

The SSH server lets other machines sign in to this one. Without it, this machine can still connect out to machines that have it. The home page shows a Set up banner until it is running.

Step 2: pair the machines ​

  1. On one computer, look under Nearby. The other computer appears there.

  2. Select Pair next to it.

  3. Both screens now show a 6-digit code. Check that they are exactly the same.

  4. Select Codes match on both computers.

The other computer moves to Your machines. CrossShell shows a message like Paired with winbox. From any terminal: ssh winbox.

DANGER

Only confirm if the codes match. A different code means someone else is in the middle of the connection. Select Cancel and try again.

Step 3: open a terminal on the other machine ​

  1. Under Your machines, find the card for the other computer.

  2. Select Terminal.

  3. Type a command, for example hostname, and press Enter.

    The answer comes from the other computer.

Step 4: try it from your own terminal ​

Open your usual terminal and use the name CrossShell showed when pairing finished:

bash
ssh winbox

No password is asked. The same name works in VS Code Remote-SSH, rsync, scp and git.

What you learned ​

  • This machine shows whether a computer is ready and fixes what is missing.
  • Pairing compares one 6-digit code on both screens, then swaps SSH keys for you.
  • A paired machine gets a card with Terminal, Files, Remote desktop and More.

Next steps ​