Help & FAQ
Everything you need to get started with TermBuddy, plus answers to the questions we hear most.
Quick Start
1. Add a server
Open TermBuddy, tap “Add Server”, and enter your server's address, SSH port, and username with a password or SSH key. That's all you need. TermBuddy connects over SSH and installs its small helper on the server automatically.
2. Create a Buddy
A Buddy is a persistent session on your server shown as a chat. Create a Terminal buddy to run commands like sending messages, or an AI buddy (Claude Code, Codex, or Gemini) that works in a project directory you choose.
3. Chat
Send commands or instructions; output streams back as replies. Close the app anytime. Long tasks keep running on the server, and you get a push notification when they finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is TermBuddy?
TermBuddy turns remote servers into chat conversations on your iPhone and Mac. Terminal sessions and AI coding agents (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI) become “buddies” you message. Sessions persist on the server, so work continues even when your phone is in your pocket.
Is it secure? What ports do I need to open?
Only SSH (usually port 22), the same port you already use. The helper TermBuddy installs on your server listens on 127.0.0.1 only and is never exposed to the internet; all traffic travels through your SSH connection. Credentials are stored in the system Keychain on your device, and nothing passes through any third-party server.
What do I need on the server?
A Linux or macOS server you can SSH into. No manual setup: TermBuddy uploads and configures its helper for you. For AI buddies you also need the AI CLI (e.g. Claude Code) installed and logged in on the server. TermBuddy's server page has a guided installer for that too.
Which AI assistants are supported?
Claude Code, OpenAI Codex CLI, and Google Gemini CLI. The AI runs on your server in the working directory you choose, with its own login and billing (e.g. your Anthropic account). TermBuddy is the remote control: it shows plans, to-dos, questions, and results as chat messages.
Do commands stop when I close the app?
No. Sessions live on the server. Close the app, lose signal, switch devices: when you come back, the full history is there. Push notifications tell you when a long task completes or fails.
What is the memory library (Experience)?
A personal knowledge base of preferences, project notes and lessons learned, synced automatically from your Mac to every server, so every AI buddy can use it. Import existing Claude memory with one tap, and let the “Categorize” feature have an AI sort everything into topic folders for you.
What are Skills?
Reusable instruction packs (code review, systematic debugging, TDD, data analysis, scientific writing, and more) that teach AI buddies how to do a task well. Toggle them in the Mac app's Skills tab; they deploy to all your servers automatically and the AI picks the right one when your request matches.
My buddy is stuck on “Processing…”, what do I do?
Open the Servers tab and check the server's health. Restarting the TermBuddy helper from there fixes most cases; if a red dot shows an update is available, update the helper. Also verify the AI CLI is installed and logged in on the server page.
I can't connect to my server.
First check that plain SSH works from another terminal with the same host, port, user, and credentials. If SSH works but TermBuddy doesn't, check the server's health on the Servers tab, and the server-side log at ~/.termbuddy/termbuddy.log.
How do updates work?
The apps update through the App Store. The server helper updates from inside the app: a red dot on the Servers tab means a newer helper is available, and one tap updates it over SSH.
What data do you collect?
Your device talks directly to your server, with no relay in between. We never see your credentials, commands, output, or files. See the Privacy Policy for the full details.
Where do I get support?
Email atlai@atlai.co.uk, or use “Send Feedback” inside the app. Bug reports with the server log (~/.termbuddy/termbuddy.log) are especially helpful.