Using Secure Copy

SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) enables secure file transfers between your local machine and remote servers using SSH encryption.

# About SCP

scp (Secure Copy Protocol) is a command-line utility for securely transferring files between a local host and a remote host over SSH. It provides the same authentication and security as SSH while enabling efficient file copying operations.

  • Encrypted file transfers using SSH
  • Preserves file permissions and timestamps
  • Supports recursive directory copying
  • Works with SSH key authentication
  • Available on most Unix-like systems (Linux, macOS)

We suggest to use rsync instead of scp. It's more flexible with more features. It can upload directories.

# Get ready

Before using SCP with fortrabbit, ensure you have:

  1. SSH access configured - See SSH access guide
  2. SSH key pair set up - See SSH key setup
  3. SCP installed - Usually pre-installed on Linux/macOS, via WSL on Windows
which scp
# If installed, it will show the path
shell
Log in to see the link here.

# Examples

# Upload

## Upload a file to the web root
scp local-file.php {{app-env-id}}@ssh.{{region}}.frbit.app:

## Upload with verbose output
scp -v config.json {{app-env-id}}@ssh.{{region}}.frbit.app:

## Upload multiple files at once
scp file1.php file2.css file3.js {{app-env-id}}@ssh.{{region}}.frbit.app:

## Upload with wildcards
scp *.php {{app-env-id}}@ssh.{{region}}.frbit.app:


# Download

## Download a file from the web root
scp {{app-env-id}}@ssh.{{region}}.frbit.app:config.php ./

## Download to a specific local path
scp {{app-env-id}}@ssh.{{region}}.frbit.app:.env ./local-config/

## Download log files (Craft CMS)
scp -r {{app-env-id}}@ssh.{{region}}.frbit.app:storage/logs/ ./
bash

# Common options

  • -r - Recursive copy (for directories)
  • -p - Preserve file permissions and timestamps
  • -v - Verbose output for debugging

# Comparison with other tools

FeatureSCPSFTPrsync
SecuritySSH encryptedSSH encryptedSSH encrypted
Resumable transfersNoYesYes
Bandwidth limitingYesLimitedYes
Directory syncBasicManualAdvanced
Progress indicationLimitedYesYes
File comparisonNoManualAutomatic

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