Files
nexus/docs/quick-start.md
Andy Dixon d25746bb14 feat: RDP profiles, sessions and viewer
- Protocol::Rdp with RdpConfig (domain, password mode, certificate
  policy, TLS-only fallback, fixed or tab-sized resolution, SOCKS5/HTTP
  proxy, SSH tunnel); migration 008 adds rdp_config and drops the
  protocol CHECK constraint so new protocols no longer need a rebuild.
- Session manager: connect_rdp dials directly, via the shared proxy
  module (proxy password from the secret store) or an SSH tunnel; the
  server certificate goes through the known-hosts check (key type
  rdp-tls); a tab-sized desktop uses the tab's reported pixel size, and
  resizes wait until the server opens Display Control. Rejected NLA
  passwords count as auth failures, so a saved one is asked again.
- The VNC viewer becomes DesktopView for both protocols; a small adapter
  turns its keysyms and pointer masks into RDP scancodes, Unicode keys,
  buttons and wheel events. For RDP, Paste Clipboard types the text.
- Profile editor RDP section, Quick Connect, badges, docs.

Verified against xrdp in the app: logon, desktop, input, and connections
through SOCKS5 and HTTP CONNECT relays. Not verified here: Windows/NLA
servers, the SSH tunnel route, and Display Control resizing (xrdp
0.9.24 never opened the channel).
2026-10-12 11:14:39 +01:00

4.8 KiB

Nexus Terminal Quick Start

Nexus Terminal is a native desktop client for SSH, Telnet, RAW TCP, Serial, VNC, RDP, IRC, GitHub and local terminal sessions. This page is a shareable quick start for everyday use.

Get connected in minutes

  1. Open Nexus Terminal.
  2. Click + at the bottom of the sidebar, or press Cmd+N (macOS) / Ctrl+N (Windows/Linux).
  3. Choose a protocol at the top of the editor and enter the connection details.
  4. Click Create & Connect to save the profile and open the session in a new tab.

Next time, just click the profile in the sidebar.

One-off session? Use Cmd+Shift+Q / Ctrl+Shift+Q for quick connect. Need a local shell? Click Local Machine at the top of the sidebar.

Daily workflow

  • Command palette: Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K to connect, switch tabs or run any command by typing a few letters.
  • Tabs and splits: Drag tabs to reorder them, right-click a tab to pin, rename, duplicate or reconnect it, and split the workspace with Cmd+Shift+D / Ctrl+Shift+D (right) or Cmd+Shift+E / Ctrl+Shift+E (down).
  • Scrollable tabs: Use the mouse wheel or trackpad over the tab strip when many tabs are open. Hover a tab to see its host, state and connection start time.
  • Broadcast input: Toggle with Cmd+Shift+B / Ctrl+Shift+B to send the same keystrokes to every connected terminal. Right-click the broadcast button on the tab strip to pick targets.
  • Snippets: Save common commands with Cmd+Shift+S / Ctrl+Shift+S and send them with one click.
  • Search: Press Cmd+F / Ctrl+F to search within the active terminal.
  • Copy, paste and links: Select text and press Cmd+C / Ctrl+C to copy (with nothing selected, Ctrl+C interrupts as usual). Cmd+V / Ctrl+V pastes. Cmd-click / Ctrl-click a URL to open it.
  • Reconnect quickly: If a session drops, click Reconnect on the disconnected overlay.

Serial consoles

Create a Serial profile, pick the device from the list (click refresh after plugging in an adapter) and set the baud rate and line settings to match the device — 115200 8N1 with no flow control is the default. On Linux your user needs to be in the dialout (or uucp) group; on macOS use the /dev/cu.* device.

VNC remote desktops

Create a VNC profile for remote desktop sessions. Use the SSH tunnel option when possible, especially outside trusted networks. Direct VNC is available for isolated or trusted networks, but classic VNC traffic is not encrypted, so Nexus Terminal asks before connecting without a tunnel.

RDP remote desktops

Create an RDP profile with the host, your username and, if needed, a domain. Windows servers use Network Level Authentication by default; for xrdp and other servers without it, tick Allow servers without NLA. The first connection shows the server certificate's fingerprint to trust. Use the Proxy or SSH Tunnel sections to reach desktops behind a jump host or proxy.

File transfers on SSH

Click the folder icon on an SSH tab to open the SFTP browser. You can browse, upload, download, rename and delete files, create folders and bookmark locations.

Drag and drop files

Drop file(s) onto a terminal and choose to:

  • Upload to current directory — pick a remote folder (SSH sessions only), or
  • Paste contents into the terminal as if typed.

The upload picker lists folders only and marks permissions:

  • READ ONLY: you can read but cannot write
  • NO READ: you cannot access the folder

Security basics

  • Credentials are stored in the OS keychain where available.
  • An encrypted vault (AES-256-GCM, Argon2id) is used as a fallback; set it up in Settings → Security.
  • Each password, passphrase or token can be saved, remembered for the session only, or asked for every time.
  • SSH host key checks can be set per profile (Strict, Ask, Accept new, Insecure).

Common shortcuts

macOS Shortcut Windows/Linux Shortcut Action
Cmd + K Ctrl + K Command palette
Cmd + N Ctrl + N New connection
Cmd + W Ctrl + W Close tab
Cmd + F Ctrl + F Find in terminal
Cmd + Shift + S Ctrl + Shift + S Snippet library
Cmd + Shift + B Ctrl + Shift + B Broadcast input
Cmd + Shift + Q Ctrl + Shift + Q Quick connect
Cmd + Shift + R Ctrl + Shift + R Toggle session recording
Cmd + Shift + D Ctrl + Shift + D Split pane right
Cmd + Shift + E Ctrl + Shift + E Split pane down

Need more detail?