# Connecting to a server
Termius provides users with a variety of options to connect to servers. It includes a built-in Local terminal and supports SSH, Mosh, Telnet, Serial, and SFTP.
## SSH with a password
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop" %}
To connect using a password on the desktop:
1. Open the `Vault` tab, then `Hosts` screen
2. Click `New Host`
3. Enter the IP address, port, username, and password. Termius auto-saves your host
4. Click `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Mobile" %}
To connect using a password on mobile:
1. Tap the `+` button on the Hosts screen, then tap `New Host`
2. Enter the IP address, port, username, and password
3. Tap `Save`
4. Tap your host to `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## SSH with an SSH key
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop" %}
To connect to a server using an SSH key on the desktop:
1. Open the `Vault` tab, then `Hosts` screen
2. Click `New Host`
3. Enter the IP address, port, and username
4. To add an SSH Key, click `+ SSH ID, Key, Certificate, FIDO2` section and choose `Key`
5. Enter the key name/label
6. Import or paste your private key, then click `Save` . Termius auto-saves your host
7. Click `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Mobile" %}
To connect to a server using an SSH key on mobile:
1. Tap the `+` button on the hosts screen and then tap `New Host`
2. Enter the IP address, port, and username
3. To add an SSH Key, and tap `SSH ID, Key, Certificate, FIDO2` in credential section
4. Choose a key
5. Tap `Save`
6. Tap your host to `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
{% hint style="info" %}
See [Keychain](https://docs.termius.com/keychain) to explore all Termius Keychain capabilities.
{% endhint %}
## Connect through jump hosts
Jump hosts provide secure access to a target machine that is not directly reachable. Termius makes it easy to configure multiple jump hosts in a sequence called a **host chain**. This lets you connect to the target machine in one click, automatically hopping through the chain of your hosts. To set up a host chain, follow the steps below.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop" %}
1. [Create a host](#ssh-with-a-password) or edit an existing one. This host is a target host
2. In the Host details screen, scroll down and click `Show more`
3. Click `Host Chaining` field
4. Select an `intermediate host` from the list or create a new one. You can select multiple intermediate hosts, reflecting your network configuration and use case.
5. Click `Save`. Then Termius auto-saves your host configuration
6. Click `Connect`. Termius sets up SSH tunnels to the target host through all the chained hosts
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Mobile" %}
1. Create a host or edit an existing one. This host is a target host
2. In the `Edit Host` screen, scroll down and tap `Host Chaining`
3. Select a `bastion host` from the list (if you already created one) or create a new one. You can select multiple intermediate hosts, reflecting your network configuration and use case.
4. Tap `Save`
5. Tap your `Target host` to connect. Termius sets up SSH tunnels to a `Target host` through all the chain hosts.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro tip:** If you need the same host chain for multiple hosts, configure it on a group instead of setting it on each host.
Every host placed in this group inherits the host chaining settings from that group.
{% endhint %}
## Connect through a proxy
Termius supports SSH connections through HTTP or SOCKS5 proxies.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop" %}
To connect through a proxy on the desktop:
1. Open the `Vault` tab, then `Hosts` screen
2. Click `New Host` or edit an existing one
3. In the Host details screen, scroll down, and click `Show more` if you don't see the extra options
4. Click the `Proxy` field
5. In the `Type` drop-down, select the proxy server protocol: SOCKS5 or HTTP
6. Enter the hostname or address, port, and credentials of your proxy server
7. Click `Save`. Then Termius auto-saves your host configuration
8. Click `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Mobile" %}
To connect through a proxy on mobile:
1. Create a host or edit an existing one
2. In the `Edit host` screen, scroll down, and tap `Proxy`
3. Choose the type of proxy server protocol: SOCKS5 or HTTP
4. Enter the hostname or address, port, and credentials of your proxy server
5. Tap `Save`
6. Then `Save` the host to apply the changes
7. Tap your host to `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Mosh (Mobile Shell)
[Mosh](https://mosh.org/) is a companion protocol to SSH that maintains sessions when TCP connections are interrupted. It employs a parallel UDP session to keep the session alive. That also enables Mosh to maintain its own terminal buffer that intelligently echoes your input, even if the server is slow or the network lags.
The enhancements provided by Mosh are really important for reliable mobile connectivity. If your device changes networks or loses connection, Mosh can keep your session alive until the connection is re-established.
The Mosh service is distinct from SSH and must be installed and configured separately on your host system. Once the service is up and running, you can use it on your hosts in Termius.
{% hint style="info" %}
Termius uses its own library for Mosh compatibility. Mosh 1.3.0 and newer versions are supported.
{% endhint %}
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop" %}
To connect via Mosh on the desktop:
1. Open the `Vault` tab, then the `Hosts` screen
2. Click `New Host` or edit an existing one
3. In the `Host Details` screen, scroll down, and click `Show more` if you don't see the extra options
4. Enable `Mosh`
5. If your Mosh server is running on non-default ports, specify it accordingly:
1. Default command for starting the mosh session: `mosh-server new -s -l LANG=en_US.UTF-8`
2. In case you need to specify the custom port range: `mosh-server new -s -l LANG=en_US.UTF-8 -p [port from]:[port to]`
6. Termius auto-saves your host
7. Click `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Mobile" %}
To connect via Mosh on mobile:
1. Create a host or edit an existing one
2. Enable the `Use Mosh` setting
3. If your Mosh server is running on non-default ports, specify it accordingly:
1. Default command for starting the mosh session: `mosh-server new -s -l LANG=en_US.UTF-8`
2. In case you need to specify the custom port range: `mosh-server new -s -l LANG=en_US.UTF-8 -p [port from]:[port to]`
4. Tap `Save`
5. Tap your host to `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Telnet
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop" %}
1. Open the `Vault` tab, then the `Hosts` screen
2. Click `New Host` or edit an existing one
3. In the Host details screen, scroll down and click `+ Add Telnet`
4. Enter the port, username, and password. Termius auto-saves your host
5. Click `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Mobile" %}
1. Create a host or edit an existing one
2. In the `Edit Host` screen, scroll down, and toggle `Telnet`
3. Enter the port, username, and password
4. Tap `Save`
5. Tap your host to `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
Telnet transmits data in plaintext, so avoid using it for sensitive information.
{% endhint %}
## Serial
Termius lets you connect to switches and routers over a serial port using a single cable: [Redpark's USB-C Serial Cable (C4-RJ45V)](https://redpark.com/usb-c-console-cable/) or [Redpark's Lightning Console Cable (L2RJ45V3)](https://redpark.com/lightning-console-cable-l2-rj45v/).
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop" %}
1. Open the `Vault` tab, then the `Hosts` screen
2. Click the `Serial` button, or use the hotkey `Cmd+Option+S/CTRL+Alt+S`
3. Choose the serial port you want to connect to
4. e the required configuration: baud rate, data bits, stop bits, flow control, and parity
5. Click `Connect`
{% hint style="warning" %}
If you experience issues with serial connections in Termius downloaded from the Microsoft Windows Store, install Termius from our website instead - [Download Windows](https://termius.com/download/windows)
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Mobile" %}
1. Open the `Connections` tab
2. Tap the `Search` field or just scroll down to the bottom
3. Select `Start a serial connection`
4. Enter the required configuration: baud rate, data bits, stop bits, flow control, and parity
5. Tap `Connect`
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Local Terminal
To open a local terminal:
1. Open the `Vault` tab, then the `Hosts` screen
2. Click the `Terminal` button or use the hotkey `CTRL/Cmd+L`
By default, the local terminal uses a shell specified in the system's settings. You can choose a different shell in settings:
1. Open `Termius > Settings > Terminal`
2. Scroll down to the `Local Terminal Path` section. Choose the preferred shell:
{% hint style="warning" %}
Termius from the Mac App Store and Snap Store do not include the Local Terminal feature due to sandbox limitations. Download Termius from the website for [macOS](https://termius.com/download/macos), [Windows](https://termius.com/download/windows), or [Linux](https://termius.com/download/linux) to use Local Terminal.
{% endhint %}
---
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