01 / SSH
A terminal. A password. You're in.
Open Terminal on macOS or Linux, or Windows Terminal / PowerShell. Use the username and animal hostname from your dashboard.
ssh your_username@your_animal.loginmini.com
Compare the host-key fingerprint with your delivery instructions before accepting a new host. Enter your machine password when prompted; passwords are invisible while typing.
Your website password and machine password are separate. Change the machine password after your first login using passwd.
02 / SFTP
Your files, within reach.
Use Cyberduck, FileZilla, or another SFTP client. Choose SFTP, port 22, your animal hostname, and your machine username/password.
sftp your_username@your_animal.loginmini.com
Upload projects to your own home folder. Export anything you need before your rental ends.
03 / VS CODE
Work in your favorite editor.
Install Microsoft's Remote - SSH extension in VS Code. Run “Remote-SSH: Connect to Host…” and enter your SSH command. Open a project in your remote home folder.
Editor and extension compatibility depends on the installed OS. Otter currently runs macOS Big Sur; choose compatible versions or use terminal tools and SFTP if a newer editor requires a later OS.
04 / REMOTE DESKTOP
The whole Mac, on your screen.
For a Mac with Screen Sharing enabled, keep this SSH tunnel running in a terminal:
ssh -N -L 127.0.0.1:15900:127.0.0.1:5900 your_username@your_animal.loginmini.com
On macOS, open Screen Sharing and connect to vnc://127.0.0.1:15900. On Ubuntu, use Remmina's VNC connection to 127.0.0.1:15900. Other clients need Apple Screen Sharing authentication support.
Use your assigned machine account. Close the terminal to close the tunnel. Desktop access is configured per machine; check your delivery instructions and contact support if it is not yet enabled.