How to set up alfred-ssh with iTerm2?

Create a new iTerm2 profile with Name '$$USER$$@$$HOST$$', Command '$$', and Schemes handled set to ssh, as outlined in the README and linked StackExchange guides. This manual step is necessary for iTerm2 integration.

Alfred-ssh vs using Terminal directly for SSH?

Alfred-ssh adds smart autocompletion from config files and Bonjour, speeding up connections, but requires Alfred Powerpack and setup, while Terminal is free and always available but lacks automation.

Does alfred-ssh work with Alfred 5?

Yes, the latest v4.x release is specifically for Alfred 5.0+, and older versions support Alfred 2.4+ to 4.0+, as detailed in the releases section.

How to add custom hosts to alfred-ssh autocomplete?

Simply add entries to ~/.ssh/config, ~/.ssh/known_hosts, or /etc/hosts; the workflow automatically pulls from these sources. For Bonjour, ensure pybonjour is installed.

Alfred-ssh not showing all my SSH hosts, what to do?

Check that hosts are in supported files like SSH config, verify file permissions are readable, and for Bonjour, install pybonjour if missing. The workflow only sources from listed locations.

Is alfred-ssh free or does it cost money?

The workflow is free and open-source, but it requires Alfred Powerpack, which is a paid upgrade from the free Alfred version, adding an indirect cost.

How to uninstall alfred-ssh from my Mac?

Remove the workflow from Alfred's preferences under Workflows, and delete any associated files; since it's a local workflow, no system-wide uninstall is typically needed.

Open-Awesome

SSH

MITPythonv4.0

An Alfred workflow for quickly opening SSH sessions with smart hostname autocompletion from multiple sources.

GitHub

124 stars7 forks0 contributors

What is SSH?

alfred-ssh is an Alfred workflow that provides fast SSH session initiation with intelligent hostname autocompletion. It solves the problem of manually remembering or typing SSH hostnames by automatically suggesting hosts from your SSH configuration files, known hosts, system hosts, and Bonjour. This turns connecting to remote servers into a quick, keyboard-driven process.

Target Audience

Mac users with Alfred Powerpack who frequently use SSH to connect to multiple servers, such as system administrators, DevOps engineers, and developers managing remote environments.

Value Proposition

Developers choose this workflow because it deeply integrates with Alfred to eliminate context switching and manual host lookup, significantly speeding up SSH connections. Its smart autocompletion from multiple trusted sources ensures accuracy and reduces typing errors.

Overview

SSH workflow for Alfred for Mac with powerful hostname expansion/completion

Use Cases

Best For

Quickly connecting to frequently accessed remote servers via Alfred
Managing SSH connections across multiple projects or environments
Reducing terminal context switching for developers and sysadmins
Automating SSH host discovery from config files and Bonjour
Integrating SSH workflows with iTerm2 for enhanced terminal experience
Streamlining daily server management tasks on macOS

Not Ideal For

Users on Windows or Linux systems, as Alfred is exclusive to macOS
Teams needing SSH clients with built-in SFTP, port forwarding, or session management GUIs
Organizations requiring centralized SSH key management or audit logging capabilities
Individuals who SSH infrequently and find manual host entry simpler than workflow setup

Pros & Cons

Pros

Multi-source Autocompletion

Dynamically suggests hosts from SSH config, known_hosts, system hosts, and Bonjour, eliminating manual lookups and reducing errors.

Seamless Alfred Integration

Leverages Alfred's launcher for instant SSH access with minimal keystrokes, cutting down on context switching for daily tasks.

Broad Version Support

Offers dedicated releases for Alfred versions 2.4+ through 5.0+, ensuring compatibility and longevity across updates.

iTerm2 Customization

Configurable to use iTerm2 as the SSH handler, catering to users who prefer its advanced terminal features over Terminal.app.

Cons

Platform and Tool Lock-in

Only works on macOS with Alfred Powerpack, making it useless for cross-platform teams or users without this paid software.

Manual iTerm2 Configuration

Requires creating a custom iTerm2 profile with specific settings like 'Schemes handled' to ssh, which adds setup complexity beyond basic installation.

Python Dependency

For versions 3.x+, Python3 must be installed separately, which might not be default on some Macs and requires additional management.

Limited SSH Feature Set

Focuses solely on session initiation; lacks built-in support for advanced SSH options like tunneling, proxy commands, or multi-hop connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

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SSH