SSH

Secure Shell

In one sentenceA secure, encrypted way to log into another computer (usually a server) and type commands on it as if you were sitting in front of it.

What it means

SSH is how you control a remote server. You type ssh user@server in a terminal, prove who you are (ideally with an SSH Key), and you get a command line on that machine.

It matters for AI because AI coding agents use SSH to set up servers, upload apps, restart services and read logs. When an AI "deploys your app to your server", it is almost always using SSH.

How to use it

• Give an AI agent SSH access only to a server meant for that job, never one that holds sensitive customer data.
• Create a separate, limited user and key for each agent, so you can switch off its access without touching yours.
• Use key login, not passwords, and keep the server's firewall on.
• Many logins in a short burst can get you temporarily blocked by server security. Ask the agent to batch its commands.

Related terms

SSH Key VPS / Server FTP / SFTP Terminal / CLI Harness