SSH is by default disabled in Dwelling Assistant. For most elementary duties, you really don’t want it. Nonetheless, while you wish to do extra superior modifications or construct a customized dashboard, then it’s typically quite a bit simpler with direct entry.
To attach by way of SSH, we first want to put in an add-on in Dwelling Assistant. This add-on gives you a terminal that you should utilize instantly into your browser, but in addition means that you can get regular SSH entry.
On this article, I’ll present you the best way to allow SSH on Dwelling Assistant and the way to connect with your set up utilizing a terminal and FTP (WinSCP) instrument.
Allow SSH Dwelling Assistant
Earlier than we are able to set up the required Add-On, we first have to allow Superior Mode.
Step 1 – Allow Superior Mode
Enabling Superior mode is completed in your profile settings:
- Click on in your profile within the decrease left nook
- Within the Basic tab, scroll a bit down and allow Superior Mode

Step 2 – Set up Terminal & SSH Add-On
The following step is to put in the Terminal and SSH Add-On. We’re going to set up the Official add-on.
You should utilize this direct hyperlink to open the Add-On retailer in your Dwelling Assistant set up or observe the primary 3 steps beneath:
- Open the Settings
- Select Add-On
- Click on on Add-On Retailer (decrease proper nook)
- Seek for SSH
- Select Terminal & SSH (the primary choice)
- Click on on Set up


Step 3 – Configure and Begin SSH Add-On
When the set up is completed, we have to configure the add-on and begin the add-on up for the primary time.
- Allow Watchdog (it will the add-on will restart if it crashes)
- Allow Present in Sidebar – so we are able to simply entry it
- Click on on Begin to start out the add-on for the primary time

You’ll now see a brand new choice, Terminal within the sidebar. We are able to use this terminal to run instructions instantly on Dwelling Assistant OS. For many circumstances, that is sufficient, however we are able to additionally allow distant entry.
Step 4 – (Non-obligatory) Permit Distant Entry
To allow distant SSH entry to your Dwelling Assistant set up, click on on Configuration within the Terminal & SSH add-on. Right here we are able to set a password for the SSH connection, and even higher, configure an Authorization Key.
I like to recommend utilizing the authorization key, as a result of that is probably the most safe choice to make use of:
- Open a terminal, I will probably be utilizing PowerShell, in your pc and generate a brand new SSH key:
# Home windows (Utilizing PowerShell) ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -f $ENV:USERPROFILE.sshid_rsa_ha -C "Dwelling Assistant" # Linux ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa_ha -C "Dwelling Assistant"

- We are able to depart the passphrase empty
- After the secret’s generated, we have to copy the general public key to house assistant. In PowerShell we are able to use the next command to repeat the general public key:
# Home windows PowerShell sort $ENV:USERPROFILE.sshid_rsa.pub | clip # Linux cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
Paste the general public key within the Licensed Keys and click on on Save. The Add-On might want to restart to activate the brand new key.

The final step is to configure the port that we wish to use for the SSH connection. The default port is 22, however you can too change it to one thing else.

Connecting to HA with SSH
With all the pieces configured, we are able to now connect with Dwelling Assistant utilizing your favourite terminal. You probably have configured the Authorization Key, then you may merely connect with HA utilizing the username root and the hostname or IP Tackle of your set up:
ssh root@homeassistant.native
The primary time you’ll need to authorize the connection, as a result of it’s a brand new host that you’re connecting to. After that, you should have SSH entry to your set up.

You should utilize the identical authentication technique for WinSCP, simply just be sure you configure the personal key file (level it to your newly generated authorization key.
Wrapping Up
Solely use SSH when you understand what you’re doing. With SSH entry it’s fairly simple to fully mess up your Dwelling Assistant set up. While you allow distant entry, just be sure you use a public key for the authentication.
Hope you appreciated this text, in case you have any questions, simply drop a remark beneath.