knowledge-base/network/cf-tunnel-ssh.md

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# Cloudflare Tunnel — Dev Container SSH Access
## Overview
CF Tunnel SSH provides local VS Code / terminal access to dev containers for
developers who want to use their own tooling instead of the browser IDE.
**This is a power-user feature, not zero-install.** It requires `cloudflared`
installed on the developer's local machine. The browser IDE remains the
zero-install option for all developers.
---
## Install Requirement Clarification
`cloudflared` is required on **both** sides — but they do different things:
| Side | Role |
|------|------|
| Bastion VM | `cloudflared` runs as a persistent service maintaining the outbound tunnel to Cloudflare |
| Developer's local machine | `cloudflared` acts as an SSH ProxyCommand — routes SSH through Cloudflare instead of directly to the IP |
The dev container (LXC) only needs `sshd` running. It does not need cloudflared.
**Without the ProxyCommand on the client, SSH goes directly to the raw IP and
gets rejected.** You will see:
```
kex_exchange_identification: Connection closed by remote host
```
This means cloudflared is not being invoked — SSH is bypassing Cloudflare entirely.
---
## Architecture
```
Developer laptop (cloudflared as ProxyCommand)
↓ ssh dev-6070.zerolaghub.dev
Cloudflare edge
↓ CF Tunnel (persistent service on bastion)
Bastion VM (private IP, no public exposure)
↓ SSH proxy jump
Dev container (10.100.x.x — just needs sshd)
```
---
## Zero-Install vs Power-User Access
| Access Method | Install Required | Use Case |
|--------------|-----------------|----------|
| Browser IDE (`dev-<vmid>.zerolaghub.dev`) | Nothing | All developers — zero friction |
| CF Tunnel SSH | `cloudflared` on local machine | Power users wanting local VS Code or terminal |
The browser IDE is the primary access method. CF Tunnel SSH is optional and
for developers who specifically want local tool integration.
---
## Current State
- ✅ CF Tunnel created and connected to bastion VM
- ✅ Cloudflare Zero Trust free plan active (up to 50 users)
- ⏳ Tunnel SSH hostname mapping not yet configured in Zero Trust dashboard
- ⏳ Bastion SSH proxy jump config not yet done
- ⏳ Dev container SSH server not yet verified
- ⏳ Portal SSH config snippet not yet built
---
## Remaining Steps
### 1. Configure tunnel ingress in Cloudflare Zero Trust dashboard
Zero Trust → Networks → Tunnels → your tunnel → Configure:
Add a public hostname:
- Subdomain: `*` (wildcard)
- Domain: `zerolaghub.dev`
- Service type: `SSH`
- URL: `localhost:22`
### 2. Configure bastion SSH for proxy jump
Edit `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` on the bastion:
```
AllowTcpForwarding yes
PermitOpen 10.100.0.0/24:22
```
Restart: `systemctl restart sshd`
### 3. Ensure dev containers have SSH running
Add to agent dev provisioning pipeline:
```bash
apt-get install -y openssh-server
systemctl enable ssh
systemctl start ssh
```
### 4. Developer one-time setup (power users only)
Install cloudflared on their local machine:
```bash
# macOS
brew install cloudflare/cloudflare/cloudflared
# Linux
curl -L https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflared/releases/latest/download/cloudflared-linux-amd64 \
-o /usr/local/bin/cloudflared && chmod +x /usr/local/bin/cloudflared
# Windows — download from GitHub releases
# Termux — pkg install cloudflared
```
Add to `~/.ssh/config`:
```
Host *.zerolaghub.dev
ProxyCommand cloudflared access ssh --hostname %h
User dev
```
Then: `ssh dev-6070.zerolaghub.dev`
Confirm it's working by looking for in `-v` output:
```
Executing proxy command: cloudflared access ssh --hostname dev-6070.zerolaghub.dev
```
---
## Portal Integration (Future)
Show on the dev container page as an optional section:
```
Local VS Code Access (Advanced)
────────────────────────────────
Requires a one-time install of cloudflared on your machine.
1. Install: https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflared/install
2. Add to ~/.ssh/config:
Host *.zerolaghub.dev
ProxyCommand cloudflared access ssh --hostname %h
User dev
3. Connect: ssh dev-6070.zerolaghub.dev
Or open VS Code Remote Explorer and add this host.
```
---
## Troubleshooting
| Issue | Likely Cause |
|-------|-------------|
| `kex_exchange_identification: Connection closed` | ProxyCommand not in SSH config — SSH going direct to IP |
| `cloudflared: command not found` | cloudflared not installed on client machine |
| `Connection refused` | SSH not running in container or bastion jump not configured |
| `Permission denied` | SSH key not added to container's `dev` user |
| Tunnel not connecting | `cloudflared` service not running on bastion — `systemctl status cloudflared` |