Quick Start

Get connected to your first server in under two minutes. This step-by-step guide walks you through launching AeroFTP, creating an SFTP connection, transferring files, and saving your credentials for future sessions.

1. Launch AeroFTP

After installing AeroFTP, launch it from your application menu, desktop shortcut, or terminal. A splash screen will appear briefly while the application initializes its modules (Tauri runtime, protocol handlers, encryption engine, and IPC bridge).

2. The Connection Screen

Once loaded, you arrive at the connection screen. On a fresh install this area will be empty. After you save servers, their cards will appear here for one-click reconnection.

At the top of the screen you will find the protocol selector -- a categorized grid of all 22 supported protocols. Below the selector are the connection input fields that adapt based on your chosen protocol.

3. Choose a Protocol

Click the protocol selector to expand the full protocol grid. Protocols are organized into distinct categories:

Each protocol card displays a provider logo and name. Hover over a card to see a brief description. Click a card to select it and load the appropriate connection fields.

4. Enter Connection Details (SFTP Example)

For this guide, select SFTP from the Servers category. The connection form will display four fields:

• Host: Enter your server hostname or IP address (e.g., nas.example.com or 192.168.1.100)
• Port: Defaults to 22 for SFTP. Change only if your server uses a non-standard port.
• Username: Your SSH account username
• Password: Your SSH password or key passphrase

Fill in all four fields. If your server uses key-based authentication, AeroFTP will attempt to load your default SSH keys from ~/.ssh/.

Cloud providers: For OAuth-based services like Google Drive or Dropbox, the form shows an Authorize button instead of username/password fields. Clicking it opens your browser to complete the OAuth login flow. No manual credentials are needed.

5. Connect

Click the Connect button. AeroFTP initiates the SSH handshake with the remote server.

First-Time Host Key Verification (SFTP)

When connecting to an SFTP server for the first time, AeroFTP displays a TOFU (Trust On First Use) host key verification dialog. This PuTTY-style dialog shows:

• The server's SHA-256 fingerprint
• The key type (e.g., ED25519, RSA)
• A warning that the host is not yet in your known hosts database

Verify the fingerprint matches your server's actual host key, then click Accept to trust it. The key is stored locally and verified on all subsequent connections. If the key ever changes unexpectedly, AeroFTP will display a prominent MITM warning.

6. You Are Connected

After successful authentication, the dual-pane file manager appears:

• Left panel: Your local filesystem, starting at your home directory
• Right panel: The remote server, starting at your SSH user's home directory

Both panels display files with sortable columns: Name, Size, Date Modified, Type, and Permissions. A breadcrumb path bar at the top of each panel shows your current location.

7. Transfer Files

There are several ways to move files between local and remote:

• Drag and drop: Drag files or folders from one panel to the other
• Double-click: Opens files locally or downloads remote files
• Context menu: Right-click a file and select Upload or Download
• Keyboard: Select files and use the toolbar buttons

During a transfer, a progress bar appears showing:

• Percentage complete
• Transfer speed (MB/s)
• Estimated time remaining (ETA)
• Current file name in batch transfers

8. Save the Connection

After connecting successfully, save your server profile so you can reconnect instantly next time:

1. Navigate to File > Save Connection in the titlebar menu
2. Optionally give the connection a memorable name
3. Click Save

Credentials are stored in AeroFTP's encrypted vault (AES-256-GCM + Argon2id). They never touch your filesystem as plaintext.

9. Reconnect from Saved Servers

Next time you launch AeroFTP, your saved servers appear as cards on the connection screen. Each card displays the server name, protocol badge, and host. Click any card to reconnect instantly with stored credentials.

Right-click a server card for additional options: Edit, Duplicate, Health Check, or Delete.

10. Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

These shortcuts will accelerate your workflow from day one:

What to Explore Next

Now that you are connected, there is much more to discover:

• Interface Overview -- Detailed tour of every UI element
• AeroSync -- Intelligent directory synchronization with conflict resolution
• AeroVault -- Military-grade encrypted file containers
• AeroAgent -- AI assistant with 47 tools for file management and code analysis
• AeroTools -- Integrated code editor (Monaco), terminal, and development tools
• Protocols Overview -- Guide to all 22 supported protocols

Next step: Read the Interface Overview to understand every panel, menu, and shortcut available in AeroFTP.