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SSH Hosts & Proxying

Use Settings → Remote Instances in the desktop app to import saved SSH hosts, connect to a remote machine, and make extra ports available through the same SSH connection.

SSH hosts and SSH proxying are desktop-only features. They use the SSH client on your computer.

Import an SSH host

Section titled “Import an SSH host”

Varin can read hosts from your local SSH config, the same place used by commands like ssh work-server.

  1. Open Settings → Remote Instances.
  2. Choose a host from Saved SSH hosts.
  3. If the host is a pattern, enter the real destination, such as [email protected].
  4. Save and connect.

Varin creates a remote instance using that SSH command. When it reaches ready, the remote Varin UI opens in the desktop app.

Add extra port forwards

Section titled “Add extra port forwards”

Each remote instance has a Port Forwards section. Use it when something on one side of the SSH connection needs to reach a port on the other side.

Varin supports three forward types:

  • Local (-L) — open a port on your computer that connects to something on the remote machine.
  • Remote (-R) — open a port on the remote machine that connects back to your computer.
  • Dynamic (-D) — open a local SOCKS proxy through the SSH connection.

For most app previews and dashboards running on the remote machine, use Local (-L).

Use the SOCKS proxy

Section titled “Use the SOCKS proxy”

Choose Dynamic (-D) when you want other tools on your computer to browse through the remote machine. Varin opens a local SOCKS proxy port for that SSH connection.

After the connection is ready, copy or use the local proxy address from the forward row. Configure your browser or tool to use it as a SOCKS5 proxy.

Keep it private

Section titled “Keep it private”

Use 127.0.0.1 or localhost for local bind hosts unless you intentionally want other devices on your network to reach the forwarded port.

Section titled “Related”