Set up an SFTP remote connection

Connect to a remote server via SFTP and browse it like a local folder — with drag-and-drop uploads and live preview.

Time: ~5 minutes
Skill level: Intermediate

Before you start

You’ll need:

  • Hostname or IP address of the server
  • Your SSH username
  • Either a password or an SSH private key (.pem, .ppk, or OpenSSH format)
  • Port number (default: 22)

Step-by-step: password authentication

1. Add the connection

In the sidebar, find the Remote section. Right-click it and choose Add connection, or click the + icon next to the section header.

2. Fill in the connection details

Field Value
Name A friendly label (e.g. My VPS)
Protocol SFTP
Host 192.168.1.10 or myserver.example.com
Port 22 (leave blank for default)
Username ubuntu, admin, etc.
Password Your SSH password

3. Connect

Click Connect. On first connection, SPAN Finder shows the server’s host key fingerprint. Verify it matches what your hosting provider shows (usually in their control panel), then click Trust and connect.

4. Browse the server

The server now appears in the sidebar under Remote. Click it to browse. Navigation, preview, and file operations all work the same as with local folders.

Step-by-step: SSH key authentication

SSH key auth is more secure than passwords and avoids storing your password on disk.

1. Add the connection (same as above)

Fill in Name, Protocol, Host, Port, and Username.

2. Set the SSH key

Leave Password blank. Click Browse next to SSH Key and select your private key file.

If your key is passphrase-protected, enter the passphrase in the Passphrase field. SPAN Finder stores it encrypted.

3. Connect and verify the host key

Same as password auth — verify the fingerprint on first connection.

Uploading files

Drag from a local folder to the remote:

  1. Open the remote folder in one pane (or tab)
  2. Navigate to the local source in another tab or use Split View
  3. Drag files from the local pane to the remote pane

SPAN Finder streams the upload and shows a progress dialog. Large files can be paused or cancelled.

Drag from the Shelf:

Add local files to the Shelf, navigate to the remote destination, then click Copy here.

Downloading files

Drag files from the remote folder to a local folder, or use Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V across panes.

Typing a URL directly

You can also connect without saving by typing a URL in the address bar:

sftp://username@myserver.example.com/home/username/
sftp://username@192.168.1.10:22/var/www/

SPAN Finder will prompt for credentials if they are not saved.

Managing saved connections

Right-click any saved connection in the sidebar:

  • Edit — update host, port, credentials, or key
  • Rename — change the display label
  • Delete — remove the connection and wipe stored credentials

Tips

  • Use Split View (Ctrl + Shift + E) — local folder on the left, remote on the right. Drag between them to upload or download without switching tabs.
  • Preview works remotely — text files, images, and code files preview inline over SFTP without downloading the whole file.
  • Auto-reconnect — if the server disconnects you due to idle timeout, SPAN Finder reconnects automatically when you perform the next action.
  • Multiple servers — save as many connections as you need. Each appears as a separate entry in the sidebar.

See also