⏱️ 15 minutes · Works on the same Wi-Fi. For anywhere access, add Guide 6.
1Turn on Remote Login (Mac)
- System Settings → General → Sharing → Remote Login → ON
- Click ⓘ → Allow access for: Only these users → add your account
- Note the address shown, e.g.
ssh [email protected]
Check:
sudo systemsetup -getremotelogin # Remote Login: On
hostname # e.g. Your-MacBook.local
ipconfig getifaddr en0 # e.g. 192.168.1.20
Use the .local hostname where possible. It keeps working when the IP changes.
2Create an SSH key on iPhone (Termius)
Keys are safer than passwords and are needed later for Shortcuts automation.
- Install Termius from the App Store
- Keychain tab → + → Generate Key
- Type Ed25519, name
iphone-to-mac, leave passphrase empty (or set one for extra safety) - Save, open the key → Export → Copy public key
It looks like:
ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3Nza... iphone-to-mac
Get it to the Mac: AirDrop a note, or email it to yourself.
3Authorize the key (Mac)
mkdir -p ~/.ssh && chmod 700 ~/.ssh
nano ~/.ssh/authorized_keys # paste the ONE line, save
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
cat ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
Paste the key into authorized_keys, not into the terminal. Typed at the prompt, it's just run as a (failing) command.
4Add the Mac as a host in Termius
Hosts → + → New Host
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Alias | My Mac |
| Hostname | Your-MacBook.local (or the IP) |
| Port | 22 |
| Username | your Mac short username (whoami) |
| Key | iphone-to-mac |
Tap the host → accept the fingerprint the first time.
Check you're on the Mac:
whoami && hostname
5Log in to Claude Code from the SSH session
The SSH session needs Claude Code logged in. If claude -p "say hi" says Not logged in:
claude # interactive session
/login # at the Claude prompt
- Long-press the printed URL → open in Safari → sign in → approve.
- Or do the
/loginonce on the Mac itself. It carries over to SSH sessions.
Then /exit (or ctrl + d) to return to the shell.
Menus inside Claude: use ↑ ↓ to move and Enter to confirm. If your Termius toolbar has no arrows, add them (Step 8). Esc cancels.
Folder trust prompt: starting claude in a new folder asks "Do you trust this folder?". Choose Yes for your own folders. Running from ~ avoids surprises.
6Load your shell setup on connect
Termius → edit host → Startup Snippet:
source ~/.zshrc && clear && ts03-health
Every session starts with your ts03 commands loaded and a connection check.
7Test from iPhone
ts03-health
ts03-brief
ts03 how many rows are in my tracker
If ts03-health shows Connection closed but the Mac says ✔ Connected, your credentials are in a privacy-protected folder. Move them to ~/.config/mcp-credentials/ (Guide 2, Troubleshooting).
8Make the phone keyboard pleasant
Add arrow keys: Termius Settings → Keyboard (extra keys row) → add ↑ ↓ ← →.
Keys that work with ctrl (tap ctrl in the toolbar, then the letter):
| Keys | Does |
|---|---|
ctrl r |
Search command history |
ctrl p / ctrl n |
Previous / next command |
ctrl a / ctrl e |
Start / end of line |
ctrl u |
Clear line |
ctrl c |
Cancel |
ctrl d |
Exit Claude / close shell |
Snippets (one tap, no typing): Termius → Snippets → +
| Name | Command |
|---|---|
| Brief | ts03-brief |
| Week | ts03-week |
| Urgent | ts03-urgent |
| Reminder | ts03-wa |
| Health | ts03-health |
In a session, tap the grid icon next to the host tab to run one.
Optional: Siri shortcut
Shortcuts app → new shortcut:
1. Run Script over SSH: host, user, SSH Key auth, script:
bash
source ~/.zshrc && ts03-brief
2. Speak Text (or Show Result)
Add to Siri as "tracker brief". The Shortcuts app generates its own SSH key: add that public key to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys too.
Optional: harden SSH (after key login works)
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Set:
PasswordAuthentication no
KbdInteractiveAuthentication no
PubkeyAuthentication yes
Restart Remote Login (toggle it off/on in Sharing). Test a new Termius session before closing the old one, so you don't lock yourself out.
Checklist
- [ ] Remote Login on, limited to your user
- [ ] Ed25519 key in
~/.ssh/authorized_keys(permissions 600) - [ ] Termius host uses the key
- [ ]
claude -p "say hi"works over SSH - [ ]
ts03-healthshows✔ Connectedover SSH - [ ] Credentials in
~/.config/mcp-credentials/ - [ ] Snippets added
➡️ Next: 6. Access from anywhere
Questions or corrections: [email protected]