---
name: "shy"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "shy"
version: "0.1.10-3"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/shy"
---

# shy(1)

barebones ssh launcher

## NAME

shy - barebones ssh launcher

## SYNOPSIS

*shy* \[*OPTIONS*\]

## DESCRIPTION

*shy* is a lil console ui for quickly connecting to an ssh server. It parses your \`~/.ssh/config\` file and displays all your "Host" patterns, allowing you to quickly select one using a readline-ish prompt.

Usually *shy* is started with no options:

shy

To connect more quickly to a host, you may want to launch in search mode:

shy -s

If you want to use a config file other than \`~/.ssh/config\`, you can pass a path using the \`-c\` or \`--config\` options.

## OPTIONS

- *-c*, *--config* *FILE*

  Use *FILE* instead of *~/.ssh/config*

- *-h*, *--help*

  Print a help summary and exit.

- *-v*, *--version*

  Print version information and exit.

## NOTES

If no config file is found, *shy* will fail to start.

## NAVIGATION

*shy* has two modes: Navigation mode and Search mode. By default, the program is in Navigation mode - a simple list view that lets you move your selected host up or down.

By pressing \`i\`, \`s\`, \`f\`, or \`/\`, the program enters Search mode, allowing you to quickly jump to a host by typing the beginning of its name.

### NAV MODE KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

*q*, *Esc*, *Ctrl-c*

Quit *shy*.

*Up arrow*, *Ctrl-p*, *k*

Select previous host in list.

*Down arrow*, *Ctrl-n*, *j*

Select next host in list.

*Page Down*, *Spacebar*

Jump down by five entries.

*Page Up*, *-*

Jump up by five entries.

*Enter*

Connect to selected host.

*i*, *s*, */*, *f*

Enter search mode.

*r*, *F5*

Refresh view.

### SEARCH MODE KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

*Esc*, *Ctrl-c*

Clear the input, and then exit Search mode.

*Up arrow*, *Ctrl-p*, *k*

Select previous matching host.

*Down arrow*, *Ctrl-n*, *j*

Select next matching host.

*Enter*

Connect to selected host.

## ABOUT

*shy* is maintained by chris west, and released under the MIT license.

shy's Gopher hole:

*gopher://phkt.io/1/shy*

shy's webpage:

*https://github.com/xvxx/shy*