Transfer files to and from your Compute instance with SFTP

Pick your tool

Method	Use it when	Watch for
CLI (sftp / scp)	You just want it to work.	If `ssh` works, the CLI works—no extra setup.
WinSCP (Windows)	You need drag-and-drop.	Must use a .ppk key and a ProxyCommand.
FileZilla (Windows / macOS / Linux)	Same, but cross-platform.	Same hurdles as WinSCP; can freeze after a few failed attempts.

Tip: All methods use the same SSH key you already uploaded for Compute.

Shortcut: Stuck in a GUI loop? Drop back to the CLI. It’s faster than hunting for a hidden checkbox.

Command‑line quick‑start

Open Windows Terminal or your preferred shell.

Run:

sftp -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 \
     -o "ProxyCommand=ssh [email protected] %h" \
     ubuntu@<instance-id>.ssh.hivecompute.ai

At the sftp> prompt:

Command	What it does	Example (Windows)	Example (macOS/Linux)
`put bigfile.zip`	Upload a file	―	―
`get results.csv`	Download a file	―	―
`lcd <local-path>`	*Change local* working folder**Use quotes if the path has spaces.	`lcd "C:\Users\You\Downloads"`	`lcd ~/Downloads`
`lpwd`	Show current local folder	―	―
`ls` / `pwd`	List / show path on the instance	―	―
`exit`	Quit	―	―

Tip: If lcd fails, check that the path exists and is spelled exactly—Windows paths need either double backslashes (C:\\path\\to\\dir) or quotes around spaces.

WinSCP walkthrough (Windows)

Download & install WinSCP.
Click New Site → SFTP.
In Host name enter <instance-id>.ssh.hivecompute.ai.
Port: 22 • User name: ubuntu.
Click Advanced → Tunnel → enable ProxyCommand and paste:
```
ssh [email protected] %h
```
Back in the main window, click Authentication → browse to your .ppk (or convert with PuTTYgen).
Save the session → Login.

Drag‑and‑drop files between panels as usual.

WinSCP not connecting?

Permission denied → Convert your key to .ppk with PuTTYgen and point WinSCP to it.
Connection closed → Double-check the ProxyCommand line: ssh [email protected] %h.
Still no luck? Open Session → Log Window and search for “proxy command rejected.”

FileZilla setup (cross‑platform)

Install FileZilla.
File → Site Manager → New Site.
Protocol SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol.
Host: <instance-id>.ssh.hivecompute.ai • Port: 22.
Logon type: Key file → point to your private key (ED25519/RSA). Convert to .ppk if prompted.
Advanced → Generic Proxy → Command:
```
ssh [email protected] %h
```
Connect → accept the host fingerprint.

FileZilla stalls or won’t connect?

Ensure “Key file” is a .ppk (or run Pageant on Windows).
Confirm the Proxy command is exactly ssh [email protected] %h.
After several failures FileZilla can lock up—quit and relaunch before retrying.

Large datasets? Use `rsync`

rsync -avz -e "ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 \      -o ProxyCommand='ssh [email protected] %h'" \      ./localfolder/ \      ubuntu@<instance-id>.ssh.hivecompute.ai:/data

rsync resumes partial transfers—great for multi‑GB files.