Overview
This article explains how to use an AI agent’s desktop application, such as Claude, on your computer to work on your DreamHost server over an SSH connection.
This allows you to type instructions in natural language into your desktop application so your AI agent can read and edit your site files, run commands, check logs, and fix errors on your server.
Running an agent without a desktop application
This article explains how to connect from a desktop application. You can also install an agent's command-line version on your server under your SSH user. You then log in to your server over SSH and start the agent from the command line, without a desktop application. View your agent's documentation for installation steps.
The following prerequisites must be completed to proceed with the steps in this article:
Create an account with your AI provider: Check your AI provider’s plan requirements. Some providers require a paid subscription to use their desktop agent or to connect it to a server.
Install an agent on your computer: Install the desktop application for an AI agent that supports SSH connections, such as Claude.
Create a shell user to connect to your server: See Creating a user with Shell (SSH) access or Adding a non-root user if you're connecting to a VPS.
Check your server meets your agent’s requirements: Some agents install files or run processes on your server, even when you connect from a desktop application. Shared and DreamPress plans limit server resources and may stop these processes. Check your agent's documentation for its disk space and process requirements.
How do I connect my agent to my server?
Back up before you start
It's recommended that you back up your site before you start using your AI agent to make changes. This is because your AI agent can edit files and run commands on your server for any site and file owned by the user it connects with.
Open your AI Agent's desktop application and log in.
Open the option to connect to a server. Check your agent's documentation for specific steps. (Claude SSH sessions)
Enter the SSH user credentials. View the article below that matches your type of web server:
Type of server Article Shared, Managed VPS, Dedicated FTP overview and credentials DreamPress Logging into your DreamPress site via SSH VPS If you are connecting to a VPS, first create a new non-root user for your AI agent. You then use that new user's SSH credentials to log in. This prevents the AI Agent from running commands under your root user. Save the connection in your desktop client.
If prompted, select a working directory.
Depending on your AI agent, you may be asked to choose the directory on your server that the agent works from.
Once the connection is configured, you can type natural language instructions into your desktop client to work on your server.
FAQs
Which AI agents can I connect to my DreamHost server?
Any AI agent with a desktop application that can connect to a server over SSH works.
Do I need a shell user to connect an AI agent?
Yes. Your agent connects as a shell (SSH) user, which can run commands on your server. See Difference between SFTP and Shell users for more information.
Why should I create a non-root user for my VPS?
When a VPS is originally provisioned, a root user is created automatically. Creating and connecting with a non-root user limits your agent to what that user is permitted to access.
