A server is a workspace-owned Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS host that Towbar reaches over SSH. Multiple repositories can use the same registered host. Registration establishes connection and trust; setup prepares the runtime afterward.
Add the connection
- Open Servers → Add server and enter the canonical IP, SSH username and port, and build-concurrency limits.
- Under Settings → Configuration, select a stored SSH key. Install its public key in the SSH user’s
~/.ssh/authorized_keys.
- Save the connection. Towbar authenticates, reads the host key, and shows its fingerprint.
- Compare that fingerprint against the server console or another independent channel before accepting it.
The SSH user needs passwordless sudo for preparation and workload operations. Keep SSH restricted at the network layer. Docker access is root-equivalent, so use a dedicated deployment account.
The Host verified badge records successful trust. If the host key changes later, Towbar stops connecting until you verify the new fingerprint. A rebuild can change the key, but never approve a change solely because the IP is familiar.
Give the host a name
In Settings → Configuration → Server info, save an optional name such as Build server Mumbai. Towbar uses it in navigation and the server table, while the IP remains visible in its own column. Renaming does not alter SSH connectivity or require setup again. Last modified on September 26, 2026
