SourceForge

SourceForge is one of the largest open-source hosting platforms, providing project hosting, file distribution, and download mirrors worldwide. AeroFTP includes a native SourceForge integration that lets you upload releases directly to the SourceForge File Release System (FRS) via SFTP.

For the shorter provider-oriented setup page, see SourceForge with AeroFTP.

Before You Start

SourceForge requires SSH key authentication for SFTP access. Password-based login is not supported for file uploads. Don't worry - setting up an SSH key takes just a few minutes, and you only need to do it once.

Step 1: Generate an SSH Key

If you already have an SSH key (check if ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 or ~/.ssh/id_rsa exists), you can skip to Step 2.

Linux / macOS

Open a terminal and run:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-sourceforge-username"

When prompted:

• File location: Press Enter to accept the default (~/.ssh/id_ed25519)
• Passphrase: Enter a passphrase for extra security, or press Enter for none

This creates two files:

• ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 - your private key (keep this secret, never share it)
• ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub - your public key (this is what you upload to SourceForge)

Windows

Option A: Using PowerShell (Windows 10/11)

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-sourceforge-username"

Keys are saved to C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\

Option B: Using PuTTYgen

1. Download and run PuTTYgen
2. Select EdDSA (Ed25519) at the bottom
3. Click Generate and move your mouse to create randomness
4. Save the private key as a .ppk file
5. Copy the public key text from the top box

Step 2: Upload Your Public Key to SourceForge

1. Log in to your SourceForge account
2. Go to Account Settings > SSH Settings
3. Copy your public key:
   • Linux/macOS: Run cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub and copy the output
   • Windows: Open C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub in a text editor
4. Paste it into the SSH Public Keys text box
5. Click Save

The key will be active within a few minutes. You can verify by running:

sftp your-username@frs.sourceforge.net

For more details, see SourceForge SSH Keys documentation.

Step 3: Connect with AeroFTP

1. Open AeroFTP and go to Discover > Developer > SourceForge
2. Fill in the connection form:

Field	Value	Notes
Server	frs.sourceforge.net	Pre-filled automatically
Port	22	Pre-filled automatically
Username	Your SourceForge username	The username you log in with (not your email)
Project (Unixname)	Your project's Unix name	e.g. aeroftp - visible in your project URL
Private Key Path	~/.ssh/id_ed25519	Click the browse button or type the path

1. Leave the Password field empty (SSH key handles authentication)
2. Expand SSH Authentication and set the Private Key Path
3. Click Connect

File Release System Structure

Once connected, you'll see your project's release directory:

/home/frs/project/your-project/
    v1.0.0/
        your-app-1.0.0-linux-x64.deb
        your-app-1.0.0-windows-x64.msi
        your-app-1.0.0-macos-arm64.dmg
    v1.1.0/
        ...

Create a folder for each version, then upload your release files into it. SourceForge automatically makes these available on your project's download page and mirrors them worldwide.

Tips

• Organize by version: Create a folder per release (e.g. v3.3.0/) for clean downloads
• Default download: SourceForge auto-detects the latest file per platform. You can override this in Project Admin > File Manager
• Multiple keys: You can add multiple SSH keys to your SourceForge account (e.g. one per machine)
• Timeout: For large uploads, increase the Connection Timeout in the form (default 30 seconds)
• Web shell: SourceForge also offers SSH shell access via shell.sourceforge.net for advanced management

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
"Authentication rejected"	Make sure your public key is uploaded to SourceForge SSH Settings and wait a few minutes for propagation
"Host key changed"	Accept the new host key in the TOFU dialog. SourceForge occasionally rotates server keys
Connection timeout	Increase the timeout value in the connection form. SourceForge servers can be slow during peak hours
Permission denied on upload	Verify you are a project admin or have release technician permissions on the SourceForge project