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SFTP File Transfer

CrossTerm includes a built-in SFTP browser for transferring files between your local machine and remote servers over SSH.

Opening the SFTP Browser

There are several ways to access the SFTP browser:

  1. New tab: Click + → New SFTP Browser, then connect to a host.
  2. Bottom panel: When connected to an SSH session, open the bottom panel (Ctrl+J / ⌘J) and select the SFTP tab.
  3. From an SSH session: The SFTP browser automatically uses the same connection credentials.

Browsing Remote Files

The SFTP browser provides a dual-pane interface:

  • Left pane: Local file system.
  • Right pane: Remote file system.

Navigate directories by double-clicking folders. The path bar at the top shows the current location and supports direct path entry.

File Information

For each file and directory, you can see:

  • File name and icon
  • File size (human-readable)
  • Last modified date
  • Unix permissions

Uploading Files

Drag and Drop

The easiest way to upload files:

  1. Open the SFTP browser.
  2. Drag files from your desktop or file manager.
  3. Drop them onto the remote pane.
  4. A progress indicator shows the transfer status.

Upload Button

  1. Click the Upload Files button in the toolbar.
  2. Select files from the file picker dialog.
  3. Files are uploaded to the current remote directory.

Multiple Files

Select multiple files to upload them in a batch. CrossTerm handles transfers concurrently for better performance.

Downloading Files

  1. Select one or more files in the remote pane.
  2. Click Download or drag them to the local pane.
  3. Choose a local destination if prompted.
  4. Files are downloaded to the selected directory.

Transfer Queue

When transferring multiple files, CrossTerm maintains a transfer queue:

  • View active and pending transfers in the bottom panel.
  • Each transfer shows progress percentage and speed.
  • You can pause, resume, or cancel individual transfers.
  • Failed transfers can be retried.

File Operations

Right-click files or directories for additional operations:

  • Rename: Change the file or directory name.
  • Delete: Remove the file or directory (with confirmation).
  • Change permissions: Modify Unix file permissions.
  • Create directory: Create a new folder in the current location.

Keyboard Navigation

  • Arrow keys: Navigate the file list.
  • Enter: Open directory or download file.
  • Delete/Backspace: Delete selected files (with confirmation).
  • Ctrl+A / ⌘A: Select all files.

Performance Tips

  • Large file transfers benefit from a stable connection with adequate bandwidth.
  • Uploading many small files is slower than a few large files due to per-file overhead.
  • Use compression in SSH settings for text-heavy transfers over slow connections.

Security

All SFTP transfers are encrypted through the SSH tunnel. No data is transmitted in plaintext. File permissions and ownership are preserved during transfers when possible.