How to Open and Close an SFTP Connection to a Remote System

Serena
08 Mar, 2023

If you are unsure of how to open and close an SFTP connection to a remote system, we have you covered. Just check out the steps mentioned below to get all the information you need.

Command	Description
sftp remote-system	Builds an sftp connection to a remote system.
sftp remote-system:file	Copies the named file from the remote system.
bye	Quits the sftp session.
help	Lists all sftp commands.
ls	Creates lists of the contents of the remote working directory.
lls	Creates lists of the contents of the local working directory.
pwd	Shows the name of the remote working directory.
cd	Changes the remote working directory.
lcd	Changes the local working directory.
mkdir	Creates a directory on the remote system.
rmdir	Deletes a directory on the remote system.
get	Copies a file from the remote working directory to the local working directory.
put	Copies a file from the local working directory to the remote working directory.
delete	Deletes a file from the remote working directory.

How to Open and Close an sftp Connection to a Remote System?

Use this sftp command to open a connection to a remote system.
$ sftp remote-system

When the connection succeeds, there will be a prompt along with a confirmation message prompted.

Insert your password if asked.
Password: password

If your password is accepted by the sftp interface, you will have the (sftp>) prompt and a confirmation message displayed. The commands provided by the sftp interface can be used now, including help.