How to Create and Edit Files Over SSH

Secure Shell (SSH) offers a secure, encrypted way to manage remote servers, making file creation and editing a key skill for sysadmins and developers. This guide simplifies file management over SSH using command-line editors, with practical examples and tips for efficient server administration on AvaHost or similar Linux-based hosting platforms.

Managing files via SSH is essential for configuring servers, editing scripts, or logging data. Whether you’re setting up a website or maintaining a VPS, mastering tools like nano, vi, and touch streamlines your workflow securely.

Connecting to the server via SSH

Before you can create or edit a file, you must establish an SSH connection:

• username: Your SSH user (e.g. root or admin).

• your-server-ip: The IP address of your remote server.

If you are using your own port, add -p port_number:

Creating a file

To create a new file, you can use one of several commands:

With touch

This creates an empty file called myfile.txt in the current directory.

With echo

This creates a file and adds a line of text.

Editing a file

You can edit files with command line text editors. Here are the most common options:

nano (beginner-friendly)

• Easy to use, with on-screen commands.

• Use Ctrl O to save, Ctrl X to exit.

vi / vim (advanced users)

• Press i to enter insert mode.

• Enter your content.

• Press Esc, then type :wq to save and exit.

cat (quick edits)

To display or append content:

Changing file permissions (optional)

After creating/editing, you may want to change the permissions:

Or change the ownership:

Conclusion

Managing files via SSH is an essential part of remote server management. Whether you’re setting up configuration files or logging system data, tools like nano, vi and touch make it easy to get the job done. Once you have mastered these basics, you can work efficiently on any Linux-based system via SSH.