[macOS] How to auto-cd into a directory on connect?

[Joan1211]

Hi, Bonjour,

Two quick questions about WebSSH on macOS (Version 31.2):

1. I'd like to automatically land in a specific directory (e.g. /var/www/myproject) when I connect. In this link: https://webssh.net/documentation/help/SSH/ssh-config-file/

the docs mention using RemoteCommand in the SSH Config File, but I can't find the "Edit /etc/ssh/ssh_config" option anywhere in the Mac version.

2. What is the "Execute command" setting in Terminal Settings meant to do? I couldn't find any documentation for it.
   I tried to use this custom command: cd /var/www/myproject && bash
   but this does not change anything when I connect.

Thanks!

[isontheline]

Hi Joan,

To answer both of your questions:

1. The SSH Config File in WebSSH is virtual — not the system one

WebSSH doesn’t use the system’s /etc/ssh/ssh_config. It has its own virtual SSH Config File, accessible via:

Settings ⚙️ → SSH section → “Edit /etc/ssh/ssh_config”

On macOS the option is there — just scroll down to the SSH section in WebSSH Settings. Once you find it, you can add something like:

Host MY_SERVER_NAME
    RemoteCommand cd /var/www/myproject && exec bash --login

where MY_SERVER_NAME matches the connection name (alias) you’ve set in WebSSH.

More details in the SSH Config File documentation.

2. What “Execute command” in Terminal Settings does

This is equivalent to RemoteCommand — it replaces the default shell with the specified command. The trick is that you need to re-invoke an interactive shell at the end, otherwise the session exits immediately.

So instead of:

cd /var/www/myproject && bash

use:

cd /var/www/myproject && exec bash --login

Either approach (SSH Config File or Terminal Settings) should work — the SSH Config File will take precedence if both are set.

Hope this helps!

[Joan1211]

Thank you, this worked!

A couple of remarks that might help other users:

1. Documentation clarity — SSH Config File location

The docs say: Settings ⚙️ → SSH section → "Edit /etc/ssh/ssh_config"

This is confusing on macOS because there are two Settings buttons in the top bar:

• WebSSH → Settings → SSH tab (this is where I was looking and no ssh_config option here)
• WebSSH → Other Settings → SSH section (this is where it actually is)

Suggestion: update the docs to say Other Settings ⚙️ → SSH section → "Edit /etc/ssh/ssh_config" to avoid confusion.

2. Execute command: save step is easy to miss

The Execute command setting works great, but I struggled at first because the workflow isn't obvious:

1. Tap Execute command button and enter the value
2. Tap the back button (top left) to return to the Edit form
3. Tap the save button ✓ (top right) to save the settings

I was missing step 3 and instead I was using the back button, and couldn't understand why my changes weren't taking effect. Maybe you could make this Execute command setting saved automatically as soon as it is changed.

[isontheline]

I agree that the documentation should be improved and the UI/UX too 😅