Tessera docs
Tessera is an SSH, Mosh, and tmux terminal for iPad — fast, keyboard-first,
and private by design. It connects directly to servers you own or control;
there is no Tessera backend, no account, and no data collection.
Mosh and tmux features require mosh-server / tmux installed on the server.
What Tessera does
- SSH and Mosh. Password and key authentication; Mosh keeps your session
alive across Wi-Fi ↔ cellular roaming and sleep/wake.
- tmux integration. Native control mode — auto-attach on connect so a
dropped connection never loses your work; windows and panes are real UI.
- Secure by design. Keys live in the iOS Keychain; Secure Enclave–backed
P-256 keys never leave the device and can require Face ID to use. Host-key
verification with a persistent known-hosts store, plus an app lock.
- Local port forwarding to reach services behind your server.
- Files beside your shell. A remote file panel that tracks your shell’s
directory, over SSH and mosh alike.
- Agent center. Watch and answer Claude Code and Codex sessions across all
your connections from one page (experimental).
- Built for iPad. First-class hardware-keyboard support, a configurable
swipe pad for the touch screen, Stage Manager / Split View, session restore,
find-in-terminal, themes, and optional on-device dictation.
The guide
- getting started — install, first host, first connection
- hosts & connections — transports, launch modes, jump hosts
- tmux — windows, panes, and why your work survives drops
- keys — generate, import, protect, install, recover
- host key verification — trust on first use, known hosts
- port forwarding — tunnels to services behind your server
- keyboard & input — shortcuts and the accessory bar
- swipe pad — radial macros and dictation (experimental)
- files — browse, transfer, and share remote files
- agent center — Claude Code and Codex oversight (experimental)
- appearance & themes — make it yours
- security & app lock — locking, biometrics, diagnostics
- notifications — bells and agent attention
- troubleshooting — common snags
- privacy policy — the short version: no data collection