GUIDES AND REFERENCE
Understand the tool.
Own the workflow.
From your first SSH connection to SFTP transfers and configuration recovery. Short, practical guides here; full engineering documentation lives in the public repository.
01 / QUICK START
You're four steps away.
- Install BetterTTY
Choose a package matching your operating system and CPU architecture.
- Create a connection
Open Session → New Session and provide hostname, port, username and authentication details.
- Verify the host identity
Compare the SSH host-key fingerprint with a trusted source before accepting it.
- Open your terminal
Once authentication succeeds and a session is saved, double-click the saved profile. For SFTP use the session's right-click menu.
02 / INSTALL
Windows x64
Use the complete portable ZIP, not an isolated BetterTTY.exe. The application needs its packaged Qt and libssh runtime files.
1. Download BetterTTY-1.0.2-Windows-x86_64-portable.zip 2. Extract ALL files to a folder you own. 3. Run BetterTTY.exe from that folder. 4. Do not separate the .exe from bundled DLLs/resources.
Unknown-publisher warnings are possible if the package has no trusted code signature. Verify the archive's origin and checksum before running it.
03 / INSTALL
Linux amd64
The provided package was built using LMDE 7 / Debian 13 runtime dependencies. It is not a promise of compatibility with every older Debian/Ubuntu release.
sudo apt install ./bettertty_1.0.2_amd64.deb
bettertty
Alternatively, launch from your desktop's application menu. Do not force-install packages when dependencies are missing.
04 / INSTALL
macOS Intel
Open BetterTTY-1.0.2-macOS-x86_64.dmg, drag BetterTTY.app to Applications and launch it. The currently documented package is for Intel x86_64 Macs; no native arm64 package is claimed.
If macOS blocks an unsigned or unnotarized app, use the system's legitimate System Settings → Privacy & Security approval flow after independently verifying your download. A local ad-hoc signature does not equal Apple Developer notarization.
05 / SSH
Create your SSH session
Use Session → New Session to enter a host, port (normally 22), username and password or private-key authentication. Assign a readable session name and optional group. Permanent sessions are saved after successful authentication.
Always verify the SSH server's fingerprint before accepting an unknown or changed host key. When connected, open the interactive terminal via the saved profile and manage multiple tabs in one window.
Automatic (negotiated bracketed paste) is the default. Switch to Legacy or Slow Paste under Tools → Settings → Terminal if a remote editor or TUI needs different behavior.
06 / FILE TRANSFER
Browse and transfer over SFTP
Right-click a saved session and choose the file-manager action. The two-panel view shows local and remote files. Queue upload/download operations, review overwrite/skip decisions and execute the queue sequentially.
Retry eligible completed/failed transfer items as appropriate. Deletes require an explicit confirmation. Folder scan-to-queue is conservative; symlinks, timestamps, permissions and resume have limitations.
Be careful: remote overwrite is not atomic. Back up important targets before overwriting them.
07 / CONFIGURATION
Settings, without mystery.
Config file path, open config folder, show/hide quick action toolbar.
Optional diagnostic logging, off by default.
Light (default) or Dark app theme.
Font family, size, paste mode, Auto Copy on Selection and paste notifications.
Rotating backups on by default; retain last 10 by default.
Explanation of readable plain-v1 secrets, not a security toggle.
Terminal font changes apply to new tabs. Auto Copy on Selection is on by default; paste notifications are off by default. The exact config file location is shown in BetterTTY's Settings/About dialogs.
Read the comprehensive README and exact setting semantics ↗08 / DIAGNOSTICS
When something doesn't work
App won't start on Linux
Launch from your logged-in graphical desktop session, not a root shell without DISPLAY/WAYLAND variables. Check installed Qt WebEngine and libssh dependencies.
SSH authentication fails
Verify hostname, port, username, credential type and network access. Check the host's fingerprint independently. Use Session → Connect / Auth test to isolate the connection attempt.
SFTP operation is blocked
Confirm that the SSH server offers the SFTP subsystem and the account has directory permissions. Recursive folder deletes, transfer resume and chmod/chown are not implemented.
Need diagnostic information?
Enable optional metadata logging in Settings → Diagnostics, reproduce the issue, then use Help → Open Log Folder. Inspect logs before posting because metadata can reveal hosts, usernames or paths.
09 / COMMON QUESTIONS
FAQ
Is BetterTTY free and open source?
Yes. The source is available under the MIT license on GitHub.
Are my saved passwords encrypted?
No. Version 1.0.2 uses plain-v1 storage: saved passwords and private-key text can be readable in BetterTTY.json, backups and exports. There is no built-in encrypted vault/master password. Protect these files carefully.
Can I sync folders or resume large transfers?
No. This version provides sequential queued SFTP transfers but not synchronization, partial-transfer resume or parallel transfers.
Does Multi-Exec broadcast commands across hosts?
No. Multi-Exec is currently a UI placeholder, not a functional command broadcasting feature.
Can I use BetterTTY on Apple Silicon?
This download page offers an Intel x86_64 DMG only. Native Apple Silicon support is not claimed for these builds.
10 / SOURCE DOCUMENTATION
Go deeper.
Want technical implementation details, release processes or complete settings reference? These documents are maintained alongside the project source.