fabro/docs/human-tools/ssh-access.mdx
Bryan Helmkamp d80335e0fc Add 2026-03-10 changelog and update docs for new CLI commands
Changelog: MCP servers in workflows, arc init, arc diff.
Docs: arc init, arc diff, arc ssh, arc preview, arc doctor --dry-run,
cli.log per-run tracing, pull_request precedence, SSH/preview pages.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-03-10 14:25:42 -04:00

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---
title: "SSH Access"
description: "Connect to sandbox environments via SSH for direct inspection and debugging"
---
When a workflow runs in a [Daytona sandbox](/execution/environments#daytona), you can SSH into the sandbox to inspect files, run commands, and debug issues — all while the workflow is still executing.
<Note>
SSH access is only available with the Daytona sandbox provider. Local, Docker, and exe.dev sandboxes do not support SSH access.
</Note>
## Connecting to a run's sandbox
Use `arc ssh` to connect to the Daytona sandbox from any completed or in-progress run:
```bash
arc ssh <run-id>
```
Arc creates temporary SSH credentials and connects directly. Use `--print` to print the SSH command instead of connecting, or `--ttl` to set the credential expiry:
```bash
arc ssh <run-id> --print
arc ssh <run-id> --ttl 120
```
## Enabling SSH access during `arc run`
Pass the `--ssh` flag to `arc run` to create SSH credentials at the start of the run:
```bash
arc run workflow.dot --sandbox daytona --ssh
```
After the sandbox is created, Arc generates temporary SSH credentials (valid for 60 minutes) and prints the connection command:
```
Sandbox: daytona (arc-20260307-143022-a3f2)
ssh daytona@arc-20260307-143022-a3f2.ssh.daytona.io
```
Copy and run the `ssh` command in a separate terminal to connect.
## Keeping the sandbox alive
By default, Daytona sandboxes are destroyed when the workflow finishes. To keep the sandbox running after the workflow completes — so you can continue debugging — combine `--ssh` with `--preserve-sandbox`:
```bash
arc run workflow.dot --sandbox daytona --ssh --preserve-sandbox
```
Without `--preserve-sandbox`, the SSH session is terminated when the run ends and the sandbox is cleaned up.
You can also set `auto_stop_interval` in your run config to control how long an idle sandbox stays alive:
```toml title="run.toml"
[sandbox]
provider = "daytona"
preserve = true
[sandbox.daytona]
auto_stop_interval = 60
```
## What you can do over SSH
Once connected, you have a full shell inside the sandbox VM:
- **Inspect the working directory** — Agent file changes are at `/home/daytona/workspace`
- **Run commands** — Execute tests, check logs, inspect process state
- **Edit files** — Make manual fixes while the workflow is paused at a human gate
- **Debug failures** — Reproduce and diagnose issues in the exact environment where they occurred
## Credential lifetime
SSH credentials are temporary and expire after **60 minutes** by default. With `arc ssh`, you can set a custom TTL with `--ttl <MINUTES>`. If your session expires, run `arc ssh` again or start a new run with `--ssh` to get fresh credentials.
## Limitations
- SSH access is **Daytona-only**. Passing `--ssh` with other sandbox providers prints a warning and is ignored.
- SSH access is currently available only from the **CLI**. The API server and web UI do not yet expose an SSH endpoint.