9Remote Docs

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about 9Remote.

General

Is 9Remote free?

Yes — the core of 9Remote is free and open source. An optional Pro subscription, available in the mobile app, unlocks extra features and helps fund ongoing development.

Do I need a public IP address or port forwarding?

No. Cloudflare tunnel handles all the networking automatically. You don't need port forwarding, static IPs, router configuration, or a VPN.

What operating systems are supported?

Host / Server (where 9Remote runs):

  • macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)
  • Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Alpine, etc.)
  • Windows 10 & 11

Client (where you connect from):

  • Any modern web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
  • Mobile devices (iOS & Android)
  • Native desktop wrapper (macOS & Windows)

Architecture & Features

What makes 9Remote different from standard SSH or VNC?

  1. Persistent Daemon (ptyDaemon): Shell sessions stay alive even if the host restarts or your device disconnects.
  2. AI Coding Agent Integration: First-class chat UI, transcript visualization, and turn rewinds for tools like Claude Code, OpenCode, and Codex.
  3. Site Browser: Preview your local web servers (localhost:3000) directly on your phone via a Service Worker proxy without opening ports.
  4. Resilient File Transfers: Chunked streaming file upload and download with resume capabilities.
  5. Ultra-Low Latency: WebRTC data channel streaming with intelligent dirty-tile diffing for Remote Desktop.

Can I run 9Remote on a headless server without a display?

Yes. Use the headless command:

9remote start

Terminal, File Explorer, Site Browser, and AI agents work 100% on headless servers. Only Remote Desktop requires an active graphical display session on the host.

What is the Device Approval security layer?

Even with your access key, any new device attempting to connect enters a Pending Approval state until approved from the host machine:

9remote devices
9remote approve <socketId>

If you prefer automatic approval for any device presenting the valid key:

9remote auto-approve on

How do One-Time Keys (OTK) work?

Run 9remote otk to generate a secure, temporary connect URL and key that automatically expires after 30 minutes (or after its first use). This is ideal for quick sessions on public computers or sharing access safely.

Performance & Connectivity

What protocols does 9Remote use?

9Remote uses a hybrid transport layer:

  • WebRTC Data Channels: Direct peer-to-peer connection for ultra-low latency screen and terminal streaming.
  • WebSocket over Cloudflare Tunnel: Encrypted tunnel fallback ensuring reliable connectivity across restrictive corporate firewalls and mobile networks.

Can I access localhost:3000 running on my computer from my phone?

Yes! Use the Site Browser tab inside the 9Remote web app. The built-in Service Worker bridge securely tunnels HTTP and asset traffic over your existing connection, allowing you to test mobile responsive web apps without opening public ports.

Help & Troubleshooting

How do I stop the server?

Press Ctrl+C in the terminal where 9remote or 9remote start is running.

Where can I find more help?