LazySSH — Terminal-Based SSH Connection Manager in Go

Introduction

LazySSH is a terminal user interface for managing SSH connections. Inspired by popular TUI tools like Lazydocker and k9s, it provides a navigable list of configured hosts with quick connect, organized groups, and integrated SCP file transfer, all from a single keyboard-driven interface.

What LazySSH Does

• Displays all configured SSH hosts in a navigable terminal interface
• Connects to remote servers with a single keypress from the host list
• Organizes hosts into groups and tags for easy navigation
• Transfers files between local and remote systems via built-in SCP support
• Reads existing SSH config files to auto-populate the host list

Architecture Overview

LazySSH is a single Go binary that uses the Bubble Tea TUI framework for rendering. It parses the standard SSH config file and any additional configuration to build the host inventory. Connections are established using the Go SSH library, inheriting key-based and agent-forwarded authentication from the user's SSH setup. SCP transfers use the same connection management layer.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Install via go install or download a prebuilt binary from GitHub releases
• LazySSH reads from ~/.ssh/config automatically for host definitions
• Add custom host groups and tags in the LazySSH configuration file
• Configure default connection options like port, user, and identity file
• Supports SSH agent forwarding and ProxyJump for bastion host access

Key Features

• Keyboard-driven TUI with vim-style navigation and search
• Automatic SSH config parsing with no manual host entry required
• Host grouping and tagging for organizing large server inventories
• Integrated SCP for file transfers without leaving the interface
• Lightweight single binary with no dependencies beyond SSH

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Termius — proprietary SSH client with sync; LazySSH is open-source and terminal-native
• mRemoteNG — Windows GUI connection manager; LazySSH runs in any terminal on any OS
• SSH config files — manual editing with no UI; LazySSH adds visual navigation and quick connect
• Warp — AI-powered terminal; LazySSH focuses specifically on SSH connection management

FAQ

Q: Does LazySSH store passwords? A: No, it relies on SSH key-based authentication and SSH agent forwarding. Password auth is supported but not stored.

Q: Can I use it with bastion/jump hosts? A: Yes, LazySSH supports ProxyJump and ProxyCommand directives from your SSH config.

Q: Does it support port forwarding? A: SSH tunneling can be configured in your SSH config file and will be used when connecting through LazySSH.

Q: What platforms does it run on? A: LazySSH runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and FreeBSD wherever a terminal emulator is available.

Sources

• https://github.com/Adembc/lazyssh