Kultivat

Getting started

About 10 minutes. You need a Linux computer (Ubuntu 24.04 or newer is what we test on) and, to try the connection part, a server you can log in to.

1. Download and install

Download from developers.kultivat.cloud/downloads — you need a free account there (register, confirm your e-mail, sign in). The app itself never asks for that account. Details: Software and downloads.

Pick one:

Package Good for How
.deb Ubuntu, Debian, Mint open a terminal in the download folder and run sudo apt install ./Kultivat*.deb
.AppImage any Linux, no installation right-click the file → Properties → allow executing as a program, then double-click it
portable a USB stick, nothing left on the computer see Safety and backups

Start Kultivat Remote from the application menu.

You install it only once: later versions arrive through the app — see Updates.

2. Create your vault

The vault is where the app keeps everything — servers, notes, passwords — encrypted.

  1. Choose New installation.
  2. Type a master password of at least 12 characters. A sentence of a few words is strong and easy to remember.
  3. The app shows a recovery code. This is the only way back in if you forget the password. Print it or save it in a password manager — not on this computer. Tick I have saved the recovery code.

There is no "forgot password" e-mail. No one, including us, can open your vault for you. That is the point.

Moving from another computer? Choose Restore from backup instead and pick your .krbackup file.

3. Add your first server

  1. In the left column choose My servers (or New client for a customer's servers).
  2. Press Add server. Type a name and the address (an IP like 203.0.113.10 or a name like server.example.com). If the port is not 22, write address:2222.
  3. Under Identity choose New identity…. Enter the username and how you log in:
    • Password, or
    • Private key (paste it or choose the file), or
    • ssh-agent if you already use one.
  4. If this is a live server that real users depend on, set Environment to Production. The app will be extra careful with it.
  5. Press Connect.

4. The first connection

The app shows the server's fingerprint — a short code that identifies the server. It protects you from connecting to an impostor. Compare it with the one your hosting provider shows in its web console. If they match, press Trust and connect. The app remembers it from now on and will warn you loudly if it ever changes.

You now have a terminal on your server. Continue with Connecting to your servers.

Already use ~/.ssh/config?

Open the client the servers belong to and choose Import ~/.ssh/config. A preview lists every host found; press Import.