Network Discovery & URL Schemes
Automatic SSH server discovery and opening connections via URLs.
Bonjour Discovery
vmux automatically discovers SSH servers on your local network using Bonjour (mDNS). Any device advertising the _ssh._tcp. service -- including Macs with Remote Login enabled, Linux servers running Avahi, and network equipment with SSH access -- appears in the Hosts Window without manual configuration.
Discovered hosts show their service name, resolved IP address, and port. Tap a discovered host to open a connection, just like a saved host.
Discovery runs continuously while the Hosts Window is open and updates as servers appear or disappear from the network.
SSH URL Scheme
vmux registers the ssh:// URL scheme. Opening an SSH URL launches vmux and starts a connection using the URL's parameters.
Supported formats:
| URL | Behavior |
|---|---|
ssh://host | Connect to host on port 22 with your current username |
ssh://user@host | Connect as user on port 22 |
ssh://user@host:port | Connect as user on the specified port |
ssh://user@host:port/path | Connect as user on the specified port (path is accepted but not used) |
If the username is omitted, vmux uses the system username. If the port is omitted, it defaults to 22.
You can use SSH URLs from a web browser, another app, or the command line:
open "ssh://alice@example.com:2222"vmux URL Scheme
vmux also registers the vmux:// URL scheme for internal deep links and App Intents.
| URL | Behavior |
|---|---|
vmux://connect?hostID=<uuid> | Connect to a saved host by its ID |
vmux://clip?clipID=<uuid> | Run a pinned command by its ID in the active terminal |
These URLs are primarily used by Siri Shortcuts and home screen widgets to trigger actions without opening the full UI.
See Also
- Saved Hosts & Profiles -- managing saved connections
- Hosts Window -- where discovered hosts appear
- SSH Connection -- connecting to a server