Context-Aware Switching
SSH into production and your terminal turns red. Because visual context prevents disasters.
Questions this answers
- Can a terminal automatically change color when I SSH into production?
- How do I visually distinguish terminal sessions on different servers?
- Is there a terminal that detects SSH connections and switches profiles?
How it works
Chau7 monitors the process tree and terminal output of each tab to detect SSH connections. When a connection is established to a known host, the tab automatically switches to the profile associated with that host: changing the color scheme, font size, background opacity, and any other profile-specific settings. When the SSH session ends, the tab reverts to its original profile.
Context rules are configurable by hostname, hostname pattern, or SSH profile. Set all production servers to a red-tinted background, staging to yellow, and development to the default theme. The visual switch is instant and unmistakable, providing a constant reminder of which environment you are operating in.
Beyond visual changes, context switching can trigger other profile settings: different shell integrations, environment variables, or keybinding overrides. This means your production connections can disable dangerous-command shortcuts or enable additional confirmation steps automatically.
Why it matters
Running a destructive command on the wrong server is one of the most expensive mistakes in operations. Chau7 changes terminal colors, title, and settings when you SSH into different environments. Production is visually distinct from staging, which is distinct from development. The visual cue fires before your brain has to think about which server you are on.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work with SSH connections I start manually?
Yes. Context detection monitors the process tree, so it works whether you connect through the SSH connection manager, type ssh manually, or use a script that initiates the connection. Any SSH session to a recognized host triggers the profile switch.
Can I set different rules for different hosts?
Absolutely. Rules can match exact hostnames, wildcard patterns (*.prod.example.com), or SSH config host aliases. Each rule maps to a specific profile, and you can have as many rules as you need.
What happens when I disconnect from SSH?
The tab reverts to its previous profile within a second of the SSH session ending. If you have nested SSH sessions (jumped from one server to another), the profile follows the innermost active connection.