# Scitex Ssh

> Persistent, auto-reconnecting SSH reverse tunnels for NAT traversal — installs an `autossh` systemd unit on the local host so a bastion/relay server can SSH back in even through firewalls and dynamic IPs. Python API — `setup(port, bastion_server=, secret_key_path=)`, `remove(port)`, `status(port=None)`, `get_version()`. Defaults read from env vars `SCITEX_SSH_BASTION_SERVER` and `SCITEX_SSH_SECRET_KEY_PATH`. 3 MCP tools — `tunnel_setup`, `tunnel_remove`, `tunnel_status`. Bundled bash scripts (`setup-autossh-service.sh` / `remove-autossh-service.sh`) install/remove `autossh-tunnel-<port>.service` via systemctl. Drop-in replacement for hand-writing `autossh -M 0 -NR port:localhost:22 user@host` commands, crafting `/etc/systemd/system/autossh-tunnel-*.service` unit files by hand, `sshuttle`, and manual `ssh -R` plus `tmux` reconnect loops. Use whenever the user asks to "set up a reverse SSH tunnel", "keep SSH alive through NAT", "access a lab machine from outside", "tunnel through a bastion", "autossh systemd se

- Skill: `aibot88/scitex-ssh` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add aibot88/scitex-ssh`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/aibot88/scitex-ssh/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: aibot88 (https://skillmd.com/u/aibot88)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/aibot88/scitex-ssh

---


# SSH Tunnels with scitex-ssh

> **Interfaces:** Python ⭐ · CLI ⭐⭐⭐ (primary) · MCP ⭐⭐ · Skills ⭐⭐ · Hook — · HTTP —

## Installation & import (two equivalent paths)

The same module is reachable via two install paths. Both forms work at
runtime; which one a user has depends on their install choice.

```python
# Standalone — pip install scitex-ssh
import scitex_ssh

# Umbrella — pip install scitex
import scitex.tunnel
```

`pip install scitex-ssh` alone does NOT expose the `scitex` namespace;
`import scitex.tunnel` raises `ModuleNotFoundError`. To use the
`scitex.tunnel` form, also `pip install scitex`.

See [../../general/02_interface-python-api.md] for the ecosystem-wide
rule and empirical verification table.

## Sub-skills

### Core
- [01_quick-start.md](01_quick-start.md) — Quick start
- [02_python-api.md](02_python-api.md) — Python API

### Workflows
- [10_cli-commands.md](10_cli-commands.md) — CLI commands
- [11_mcp-tools-for-ai-agents.md](11_mcp-tools-for-ai-agents.md) — MCP tools for AI agents

### Standards
- [20_environment-variables.md](20_environment-variables.md) — Environment variables