One setup.
Your ongoing work.

Start on your computer

If mons session --help lists attach, run this in a terminal on your host to create or return to a private session named work. A bundled-terminal build without session management can use mons open work instead:

mons session attach work

This creates, starts or attaches to work; mons open work remains an alternative. Start your shell tools or coding agent inside that session. In another host terminal, mons ls lists the built-in sessions. Run mons open to enter default; bare mons shows help without opening a session. See the CLI guide before stopping or deleting a session.

Mons manages its bundled Herdr separately from any Herdr or tmux you already use. Those external sessions remain available as optional alternatives.

CLI 0.6.10 adds a compact sidebar default for bundled Herdr. Older unchanged Mons defaults update only when no private session is active. Mons preserves custom settings and active-session configurations. This default does not control the app's iPad sidebar or external Herdr.

Continue on your phone. Return to your computer.

Compare the SSH fingerprint shown in Mons with the fingerprint on your server before choosing Trust Host & Connect.

On your iPhone or iPad, choose the built-in session you opened on the host, such as work. Continue where you left off, then leave the terminal view without stopping the session. Back at your computer, run mons open work to rejoin that same session.

Existing external Herdr/tmux sessions can also be selected. Choose Open SSH for a shell without a persistent session (called Open Plain SSH in older app builds).

Easy Pair uses the paired device key. The app's connection details and diagnostics show Credential → Pair Auth; no separate SSH password or private key entry is required. This label identifies the authentication method, not whether the host is reachable or the terminal is ready.

Connect with Manual SSH

On macOS, enable System Settings → General → Sharing → Remote Login for your user. On Linux, use an existing SSH server and valid credentials.

In Mons, choose Add Connection → Manual SSH. Enter a connection name, host address, port, username, and password or supported private key, then tap Save. The default SSH port is 22.

The address must be reachable from your phone. Manual SSH works without Mons Host; remote access needs your existing network or VPN setup. For a persistent session without the bundled terminal, install and start your own Herdr or tmux.

Plain SSH does not create a persistent session. Mons does not install or start a coding agent for you.

Terminal keys and Codex shortcuts

Use ⇧ for Shift and ⌥ for Option. A selected modifier applies to the next key. Tap Fn to show F1–F12.

Tap the Mons icon to open Shortcuts. In Codex, ⇧← sends Shift+Left. Rename sends /rename to Codex. It does not change the Mons session name.

The built-in and external Herdr categories use the same icon in Light and Dark appearances. These controls use the same behavior on iPhone and iPad.

These controls require a build that includes them. A source update does not update an installed app.

Remember the last shortcut category

Mons remembers your last category on this device, including after the app restarts. It does not synchronize this choice between devices.

After you use the Herdr or Mons category to select a window, that category remains selected.

The AI category uses the current window's agent. Choose AI to show Codex, Claude, or generic AI controls. Mons remembers the category, not the agent identity.

If a session cannot use the saved category, Mons temporarily shows Favorites. This fallback does not replace your saved choice.

Test, update, and share feedback

Try connecting, typing, returning to the same session, and switching between Wi-Fi and cellular. Note the route and any error when a connection fails.

Use TestFlight → Mons → Send Beta Feedback, or report an issue. Include app/Host versions, steps, and expected versus actual behavior.

Review screenshots and diagnostics before sharing. Keep passwords, private keys, tokens, and active pairing links private.

Create, attach, and list

mons
mons open
mons session attach work
mons open work
mons ls
mons ls --json

Bare mons always shows help without creating, starting or attaching to a session, including inside an existing Mons terminal. Use mons open to enter default. session attach needs a name and can create or start that session.

Names use 1–64 ASCII letters, digits, dots, underscores or hyphens; . and .. are not names. Stop/delete require the exact spelling, including case. For a leading hyphen, use mons session attach -- -work; stop/delete use the same separator.

Stop and permanently delete

Stopping ends the session's pane processes, including tools and agents. Save work and check the exact name with mons ls --json before running:

mons session stop work

Saved state remains, but attaching again does not restore the original processes. Deletion is irreversible. Only remove a named session after it has stopped and you no longer need its saved state:

mons session delete work

Delete never stops a running session for you, refuses unknown/unreadable status, and cannot delete default. Do not attach and delete the same session concurrently. External Herdr/tmux sessions are untouched. There is no mons session detach command; stop is not a substitute for leaving the terminal.

Inspect the Host and logs

mons status reports the CLI version and the responding Host's build version separately. An older Host shows not reported by Host. The command does not start or restart services.

mons --version
mons -V
mons status
mons logs -n 200
mons logs -l debug
mons --licenses
mons help

--version and -V show binary/protocol versions; there is no mons version subcommand. status checks the Host and bundled terminal. logs (also log) follows new records by default; -n reads 1–2000 recent lines once. Do not combine -n with -f/--follow.

-l/--level filters displayed records; it does not enable recording or recreate missing debug events. mons help, mons --help and mons -h show global help. Keep credentials, terminal content and active pairing links private.

Update and manage pairing

mons update --check
mons update

The check-only command changes no installation. A native update reads the official website's platform manifest and does not downgrade a newer local build. It cannot install an unpublished source version. A real update may briefly restart the Host.

mons pair creates a fresh QR/link; keep it running while pairing. mons unpair revokes every paired device on this Host. It does not uninstall the service or delete sessions.

mons serve and mons serve --once run the Host in the foreground or for one cycle; they may initialize state and are not read-only checks. Do not start a second Host alongside the installed service. install is not a native ZIP CLI command.