Let your AI agent look at your server — on the same screen, over the same SSH, without ever handing it a shell

Description and use

Using sshboard, the operator and AI share a single SSH session; the AI can read server state and run only pre‑approved commands while the operator sees every action live, simplifying and securing legacy VPS maintenance.

Problem

Maintaining an old VPS with an AI agent requires repeatedly opening terminals or SFTP clients to share information, which is cumbersome and insecure.

Outcome

The workflow eliminates manual copying, provides real‑time visibility, and limits the AI to pre‑approved actions, improving security and efficiency when maintaining legacy VPS instances.

Workflow

• 1. Install sshboard from the releases page. 2. Register SSH connections in sshboard (or import from ~/.ssh/config). 3. Add the sshboard MCP client to Claude Code with claude mcp add --scope user sshboard -- <app_path> --mcp-stdio-proxy. 4. Connect to the server through sshboard. 5. Use the AI to request server status, read files, or run allowed commands; each action is previewed on the shared console. 6. The operator can take control of the shell at any time and stop execution if needed.

Evidence

Maintaining an old VPS with an AI agent goes like this, every time: AI: I can't see the server. Could you show me the service status? You: (opens a terminal, runs it, pastes)

Source

sshboard is an open-source desktop app built for the space in between. You and the agent look at the same server, on the same screen, over one SSH connection — and everything the agent does scrolls past in your window as it happens.

Source

The agent writes only where you said it could. Per connection, you list the directories the agent may write to. The default is empty: not one byte.

Source

Install the app from the releases page (Windows x64 / ARM64, macOS Apple Silicon — not code-signed yet, so SmartScreen and Gatekeeper will ask once).

Source