SSH Bootstrap - Undying Terminal

What is SSH Bootstrap?

SSH Bootstrap allows you to use an existing SSH connection to securely set up an Undying Terminal session. This solves the chicken-and-egg problem of remote deployment: Without SSH Bootstrap:

Manually copy binaries to remote machine
Manually start server
Manually start terminal and capture client ID/passkey
Manually configure firewall
Hope everything works

With SSH Bootstrap:

# Single command does everything:
ssh user@remote "undying-terminal-bootstrap.exe"

How It Works

Basic Usage

Prerequisites

Local Machine

Undying Terminal client installed
SSH client (OpenSSH, PuTTY)
Network access to remote machine

Remote Machine

Undying Terminal binaries (server + terminal)
Windows 10 Build 17763+
Port 2022 accessible (can be firewalled initially)

Step-by-Step Bootstrap

Copy binaries to remote machine

# Using SCP:
scp undying-terminal-*.exe user@remote:/path/to/destination/

# Or use RDP/file share/USB drive

SSH into remote machine

ssh user@remote-server.example.com

Run server in background

# PowerShell (on remote):
Start-Process -FilePath "./undying-terminal-server.exe" `
              -WindowStyle Hidden `
              -PassThru

# Or use Windows service (recommended):
./undying-terminal-server.exe --install-service
net start UndyingTerminalServer

Start terminal and capture credentials

# On remote machine via SSH:
$Passkey = -join ((1..16) | ForEach-Object { "{0:x2}" -f (Get-Random -Max 256) })
echo $Passkey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe

# Terminal will output:
# Client ID: 2f3a9c1b
# Passkey: a7f3e9d2c8b4f1e0a3c7b9d5f2e8c1a4

Save these values locally.

Configure firewall (if needed)

# Allow port 2022 from your IP:
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule `
  name="Undying Terminal" `
  dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=2022 `
  remoteip=YOUR_IP_HERE

Connect from local machine

# Exit SSH session (Ctrl+D)
exit

# Now connect via Undying Terminal:
./undying-terminal.exe `
  --connect remote-server.example.com 2022 2f3a9c1b `
  --key a7f3e9d2c8b4f1e0a3c7b9d5f2e8c1a4 `
  --noexit

Automated Bootstrap Script

PowerShell script for automated setup:

# bootstrap-remote.ps1
param(
    [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
    [string]$RemoteHost,
    
    [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
    [string]$RemoteUser,
    
    [string]$RemotePath = "C:\UndyingTerminal"
)

# 1. Copy binaries
Write-Host "Copying binaries to $RemoteHost..."
scp undying-terminal-*.exe "${RemoteUser}@${RemoteHost}:${RemotePath}/"

# 2. Generate passkey locally
$Passkey = -join ((1..16) | ForEach-Object { "{0:x2}" -f (Get-Random -Max 256) })

# 3. SSH and run setup
Write-Host "Setting up Undying Terminal on $RemoteHost..."
$SetupScript = @"
cd $RemotePath

# Start server
Start-Process -FilePath ./undying-terminal-server.exe -WindowStyle Hidden

Start-Sleep -Seconds 2

# Start terminal with passkey
`$Output = echo '$Passkey' | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe 2>&1
`$ClientID = (`$Output | Select-String 'Client ID: (.*)').Matches.Groups[1].Value

Write-Output "CLIENT_ID:`$ClientID"
Write-Output "PASSKEY:$Passkey"
"@

$Result = ssh "${RemoteUser}@${RemoteHost}" "powershell -Command `"$SetupScript`""

# 4. Parse output
$ClientID = ($Result | Select-String 'CLIENT_ID:(.*)').Matches.Groups[1].Value
$ActualKey = ($Result | Select-String 'PASSKEY:(.*)').Matches.Groups[1].Value

# 5. Save connection script
$ConnectScript = @"
./undying-terminal.exe ``
  --connect $RemoteHost 2022 $ClientID ``
  --key $ActualKey ``
  --noexit
"@

Set-Content -Path "connect-$RemoteHost.ps1" -Value $ConnectScript

Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Bootstrap complete!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "Client ID: $ClientID"
Write-Host "Passkey: $ActualKey"
Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Connect with: ./connect-$RemoteHost.ps1"

Usage:

./bootstrap-remote.ps1 -RemoteHost 192.168.1.10 -RemoteUser admin

Advanced Bootstrap Patterns

Bootstrap via Jump Host

When the target server is only accessible via a jump host:

# Setup SSH tunnel through jump host:
ssh -L 2022:target-server:2022 user@jump-host

# In another terminal, bootstrap the target:
ssh -J user@jump-host user@target-server "bootstrap-script.ps1"

# Connect via tunnel:
./undying-terminal.exe --connect 127.0.0.1 2022 <CLIENT_ID> --key <KEY>

See also: Jumphost Guide for detailed tunneling setups.

Bootstrap with Custom Server Config

Remote bootstrap script with configuration:

# On remote machine (via SSH):
# 1. Create server config
$Config = @"
listen_port = 2022
require_key = true
buffer_size_mb = 128
keepalive_interval = 5
log_file = C:\UndyingTerminal\logs\server.log
"@

Set-Content -Path "C:\ProgramData\UndyingTerminal\ut.cfg" -Value $Config

# 2. Start server with config
./undying-terminal-server.exe --config C:\ProgramData\UndyingTerminal\ut.cfg

# 3. Start terminal
echo $Passkey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe

Bootstrap Multiple Sessions

Set up multiple independent sessions:

# Session 1: Development environment
echo $DevKey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe
# Output: Client ID: 2f3a9c1b

# Session 2: Production monitoring  
echo $ProdKey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe
# Output: Client ID: 8e4f7a2d

# Session 3: Database admin
echo $DBKey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe
# Output: Client ID: c5d9e1f3

Each session is isolated with its own passkey and buffer.

Security Considerations

SSH Key-Based Authentication

Always use SSH keys instead of passwords:

# Generate SSH key locally:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "undying-terminal-bootstrap"

# Copy public key to remote:
ssh-copy-id user@remote-server

# Now bootstrap without password:
ssh user@remote-server "bootstrap-script.ps1"

Passkey Security

Protecting the passkey during bootstrap: Bad (passkey in command history):

ssh user@remote "echo 'a7f3e9d2...' | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe"

Good (generate on remote):

ssh user@remote "
  \$Key = [System.Convert]::ToBase64String((1..16 | %{Get-Random -Max 256}))
  echo \$Key | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe
"

Best (use secrets manager):

# Store in Azure Key Vault, AWS Secrets Manager, etc.
$Passkey = az keyvault secret show --name undying-passkey --vault-name mykeyvault --query value -o tsv
ssh user@remote "echo '$Passkey' | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe"

Firewall Configuration

Least-privilege firewall rules:

# Allow only from your static IP:
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule `
  name="Undying Terminal - My Office" `
  dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=2022 `
  remoteip=203.0.113.42

# Or allow from VPN subnet:
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule `
  name="Undying Terminal - VPN" `
  dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=2022 `
  remoteip=10.8.0.0/24

Do NOT allow 0.0.0.0/0 (all IPs) unless absolutely necessary.

Audit Logging

Enable server logging during bootstrap:

# In ut.cfg:
log_file = C:\UndyingTerminal\logs\server.log
log_level = INFO

# Monitor for unauthorized access:
Get-Content C:\UndyingTerminal\logs\server.log -Wait | 
  Select-String "authentication failed"

Troubleshooting Bootstrap

Common Issues

Server won't start after bootstrap

Symptoms: Server process exits immediately after starting via SSH.Causes:

Port 2022 already in use
Insufficient permissions
Antivirus blocking execution

Solutions:

# Check port availability:
netstat -ano | findstr :2022

# Run as administrator:
ssh user@remote "Start-Process -Verb RunAs -FilePath ./undying-terminal-server.exe"

# Add antivirus exception:
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\UndyingTerminal"

Can't capture client ID/passkey from SSH output

Symptoms: Terminal output is garbled or not visible in SSH session.Solutions:

# Redirect output to file:
ssh user@remote "
  echo \$Passkey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe > output.txt 2>&1
  cat output.txt
"

# Or use explicit output parsing:
ssh user@remote "
  \$Output = echo \$Passkey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe 2>&1
  \$ClientID = (\$Output | Select-String 'Client ID: (.*)').Matches.Groups[1].Value
  Write-Output \$ClientID
"

Firewall blocks connection after bootstrap

Symptoms: Server runs, credentials captured, but client connection times out.Solutions:

# Test connectivity:
Test-NetConnection -ComputerName remote-server -Port 2022

# Temporarily disable firewall (testing only):
ssh user@remote "netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off"

# Add firewall rule via SSH:
ssh user@remote "
  netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name='UT' dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=2022
"

Server stops when SSH session closes

Symptoms: Server and terminal die when you exit SSH.Cause: Processes inherit SSH session and get killed with it.Solutions:

# Option 1: Use nohup equivalent (PowerShell job):
ssh user@remote "
  Start-Job -ScriptBlock { ./undying-terminal-server.exe }
"

# Option 2: Install as Windows service:
ssh user@remote "
  ./undying-terminal-server.exe --install-service
  net start UndyingTerminalServer
"

# Option 3: Use screen/tmux on remote:
ssh user@remote "
  screen -dmS ut-server ./undying-terminal-server.exe
"

Debugging Bootstrap Process

Verbose bootstrap script:

# verbose-bootstrap.ps1
ssh user@remote "
  Write-Host 'Step 1: Checking binaries...'
  Get-ChildItem ./undying-terminal-*.exe
  
  Write-Host 'Step 2: Starting server...'
  Start-Process -FilePath ./undying-terminal-server.exe -WindowStyle Hidden
  Start-Sleep -Seconds 5
  
  Write-Host 'Step 3: Checking server process...'
  Get-Process undying-terminal-server -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
  
  Write-Host 'Step 4: Checking port...'
  netstat -ano | findstr :2022
  
  Write-Host 'Step 5: Starting terminal...'
  \$Passkey = 'test1234567890ab'
  echo \$Passkey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe
  
  Write-Host 'Bootstrap complete'
"

Best Practices

DO

Use SSH keys, not passwords
Generate passkeys on remote machine
Save credentials in password manager
Install server as Windows service
Configure firewall during bootstrap
Test connection before closing SSH

DON'T

Put passkeys in version control
Allow 0.0.0.0/0 firewall rules
Leave server running as SSH child process
Forget to save client ID/passkey
Skip testing the connection
Use same passkey across environments

Alternative Bootstrap Methods

Bootstrap via WinRM

If SSH is not available but WinRM is:

# Enable WinRM (one-time):
Enable-PSRemoting -Force

# Bootstrap via WinRM:
Invoke-Command -ComputerName remote-server -ScriptBlock {
    cd C:\UndyingTerminal
    Start-Process -FilePath ./undying-terminal-server.exe -WindowStyle Hidden
    
    $Passkey = -join ((1..16) | ForEach-Object { "{0:x2}" -f (Get-Random -Max 256) })
    $Output = echo $Passkey | ./undying-terminal-terminal.exe 2>&1
    
    Write-Output $Output
}

Bootstrap via RDP

Manual bootstrap over Remote Desktop:

RDP to remote machine

mstsc /v:remote-server.example.com

Run binaries manually

Open PowerShell as Administrator, start server and terminal as described in Basic Usage.

Save credentials locally

Copy client ID and passkey to your local machine.

Disconnect RDP

Sessions will persist after RDP disconnects.

Bootstrap via Configuration Management

Ansible playbook:

# bootstrap-undying-terminal.yml
- hosts: windows_servers
  tasks:
    - name: Copy binaries
      win_copy:
        src: "{{ item }}"
        dest: C:\UndyingTerminal\
      loop:
        - undying-terminal-server.exe
        - undying-terminal-terminal.exe
        - undying-terminal.exe
    
    - name: Install as service
      win_command: C:\UndyingTerminal\undying-terminal-server.exe --install-service
      
    - name: Start service
      win_service:
        name: UndyingTerminalServer
        state: started
    
    - name: Start terminal session
      win_shell: |
        $Passkey = -join ((1..16) | ForEach-Object { "{0:x2}" -f (Get-Random -Max 256) })
        echo $Passkey | C:\UndyingTerminal\undying-terminal-terminal.exe
      register: terminal_output
    
    - name: Display credentials
      debug:
        var: terminal_output.stdout

Tmux Integration (v1.1.0+)

Automatically wrap remote sessions in tmux for enhanced persistence:

Basic Tmux Usage

# Attach to default tmux session (creates if doesn't exist)
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh user@remote-server.com -l username --tmux

# Attach to named tmux session
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh user@remote-server.com -l username --tmux --tmux-session dev

# Full example with all options
./undying-terminal.exe `
  --ssh user@remote-server.com `
  -l username `
  --tmux `
  --tmux-session myproject `
  --predictive-echo

Why Use Tmux?

Tmux + Undying Terminal = Maximum Persistence

Feature	Undying Terminal Alone	Tmux + Undying Terminal
Network drops	Session survives	Session survives
Client disconnect	Session survives	Session survives
Terminal crashes	Session survives	Session survives
Shell exits	Session ends	Tmux preserves session
Multiple windows	One terminal	Multiple tmux windows
Scrollback	Client-side only	Server-side preserved

Tmux Workflow Examples

Development Session:

# Connect with tmux
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh dev-server -l dev --tmux --tmux-session coding

# Inside tmux:
# Ctrl+b c    - Create new window
# Ctrl+b n    - Next window  
# Ctrl+b p    - Previous window
# Ctrl+b d    - Detach (leave session running)

Persistent Build Process:

# Start long build in tmux
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh build-server -l ci --tmux --tmux-session build

# Inside session:
cd /project
make clean && make -j8  # Takes 2 hours

# Disconnect: Ctrl+b d
# Undying Terminal reconnects automatically
# Tmux keeps build running even if terminal crashes

Multiple Projects:

# Project A
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh server -l user --tmux --tmux-session project-a

# Project B (different session)
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh server -l user --tmux --tmux-session project-b

# Each session is isolated with its own windows and state

Tmux Commands Reference

Once inside a tmux session:

Command	Action
`Ctrl+b c`	Create new window
`Ctrl+b n`	Next window
`Ctrl+b p`	Previous window
`Ctrl+b ,`	Rename window
`Ctrl+b d`	Detach (session keeps running)
`Ctrl+b %`	Split vertically
`Ctrl+b "`	Split horizontally
`tmux ls`	List sessions (in shell)
`tmux attach -t name`	Attach to specific session

Tmux must be installed on the remote server. Install with your package manager:

Ubuntu/Debian: apt install tmux
CentOS/RHEL: yum install tmux
macOS: brew install tmux

Next Steps

Configure Port Forwarding for secure tunnels
Set up Jumphost access for complex networks
Install as Windows Service for automatic startup
Review Server Configuration options
Learn about Built-in UI for multi-session management

SSH Config File Support

Undying Terminal automatically reads your SSH config file (~/.ssh/config on Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.ssh\config) when using SSH bootstrap mode.

Supported Directives

Directive	Description
`HostName`	Real hostname/IP to connect to (resolves aliases)
`User`	Default SSH username
`Port`	Custom SSH port
`IdentityFile`	Path to SSH private key
`ProxyJump`	Jump through intermediate hosts
`LocalForward`	Port forwarding (applied to Undying Terminal tunnels)
`ForwardAgent`	Enable SSH agent forwarding

Example SSH Config

# ~/.ssh/config
Host myserver
    HostName 192.168.1.100
    User admin
    Port 2222
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_myserver
    LocalForward 5432 localhost:5432

Host prod
    HostName prod.example.com
    User deploy
    ProxyJump jumphost.example.com
    ForwardAgent yes

Using SSH Config with Undying Terminal

# Uses settings from ~/.ssh/config for "myserver" host alias
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh myserver

# Uses ProxyJump from config for "prod" host
./undying-terminal.exe --ssh prod

Config Options

`--ssh-config <PATH>`

Specify a custom SSH config file path instead of the default.

./undying-terminal.exe --ssh myserver --ssh-config C:\custom\ssh_config

`--no-ssh-config`

Disable SSH config file parsing entirely.

./undying-terminal.exe --ssh user@192.168.1.100 --no-ssh-config

SSH Agent Forwarding

`-A, --ssh-agent`

Enable SSH agent forwarding (passes your local SSH keys to the remote session).

./undying-terminal.exe --ssh myserver -A

`--no-ssh-agent`

Explicitly disable SSH agent forwarding (overrides config file setting).

./undying-terminal.exe --ssh myserver --no-ssh-agent

​What is SSH Bootstrap?

​How It Works

​Basic Usage

​Prerequisites

Local Machine

Remote Machine

​Step-by-Step Bootstrap

​Automated Bootstrap Script

​Advanced Bootstrap Patterns

​Bootstrap via Jump Host

​Bootstrap with Custom Server Config

​Bootstrap Multiple Sessions

​Security Considerations

​SSH Key-Based Authentication

​Passkey Security

​Firewall Configuration

​Audit Logging

​Troubleshooting Bootstrap

​Common Issues

​Debugging Bootstrap Process

​Best Practices

DO

DON'T

​Alternative Bootstrap Methods

​Bootstrap via WinRM

​Bootstrap via RDP

​Bootstrap via Configuration Management

​Tmux Integration (v1.1.0+)

​Basic Tmux Usage

​Why Use Tmux?

​Tmux Workflow Examples

​Tmux Commands Reference

​Next Steps

​SSH Config File Support

​Supported Directives

​Example SSH Config

​Using SSH Config with Undying Terminal

​Config Options

​--ssh-config <PATH>

​--no-ssh-config

​SSH Agent Forwarding

​-A, --ssh-agent

​--no-ssh-agent