Skip to main content

Messaging over SSH

SSH Messaging reaches conversations through a configured SSH computer. That computer owns the destination's provider environment and performs its local delivery.

Before connecting​

The destination needs the matching AxiOwl installation, supported provider integration and authenticated provider account. Desktop delivery also needs the appropriate signed-in graphical user session.

The sending computer needs an approved SSH connection under the intended remote user. Keep host-key verification enabled. Pairing a phone or signing into an AxiOwl account does not configure SSH credentials.

Configure the connection​

Use your normal OpenSSH configuration and your own values:

Host studio-computer
HostName studio.example.com
User your-remote-user
IdentityFile ~/.ssh/your-approved-key
IdentitiesOnly yes
StrictHostKeyChecking yes

Establish the destination's verified host-key entry through your normal administrative process. Background operations cannot complete an interactive password or unknown-host prompt.

The current command family includes:

axiowl ssh node add --name "Studio computer" --host-alias studio-computer
axiowl ssh node list
axiowl ssh refresh chats --name "Studio computer"
axiowl ssh status --json

Use the commands supported by your installed platform/version. Do not supply another person's session identity to make a command appear native.

Address the exact remote target​

Select the full name AxiOwl displays, including its computer and transport qualifier. A label such as API review @ studio-computer (SSH) is different from a local API review chat.

Ask your integrated agent to use that supplied name directly. It should not shorten the name, guess UUIDs or silently switch to a different route.

Interpret the result​

A reachable SSH service proves transport reachability. A synchronized registry proves that chat addresses were exchanged. Neither proves a new message reached its target.

Read the Send result and, when confirmation is needed, inspect the intended native conversation. After a Send-only tool call returns, the sending agent reports the result and finishes instead of automatically polling or waiting for more messages.

A timeout does not cancel admitted work. Preserve the existing operation and avoid duplicate dispatch.

Separate directions and separate operations​

The destination does not receive product-generated instructions to initiate another Send. If a user explicitly authorizes a new message in the other direction, that direction needs its own configured route and permissions.

Neither registry synchronization nor mentioning a path transfers a repository. Make referenced project material accessible through your normal project tools.

Keep the routes distinct​

Codex Remote is a provider-specific integration, while SSH Messaging addresses AxiOwl conversations through SSH. A2A-over-SSH has its own endpoint/task interface.

See Connected computers and A2A, Remote access and Troubleshooting. Historical exchanges from older releases do not qualify the current implementation.