JetBrains-Style SFTP Deployment

By Cognicio Technologies

A robust, local-first SFTP deployment extension for Visual Studio Code and alternative IDE platforms. Inspired by the smooth deployment and remote-syncing models of JetBrains IDEs, this extension enables multi-target deployments, automatic syncing, and multi-tier SSH connection tunneling via an SSH Jump Host (Bastion) with dual private-key and passphrase authentication.

Core Features

• JetBrains Sync Workflow: Manage applications locally and upload/download differential changes to remote networks.
• Multi-Target Configuration: Set up isolated targets (e.g., QA, Stage, Production) and change environment targets on the fly.
• SSH Proxy Jump (Bastion Tunneling): Forward traffic through secure server gates using unique keys and passphrases for both the proxy and the target server.
• Flexible Passphrase Modes: Supports storing encrypted private key passphrases directly inside your file configuration or prompting you securely via the native IDE window.
• Upload on Save: Automatically uploads modifications to the active destination the moment you save.

Configuration (sftp.json)

The extension parses project rules out of a file located at .vscode/sftp.json.

Multi-Tier Configuration Blueprint

Copy and tweak the framework schema below to outline your environments:

{
  "defaultTarget": "staging",
  "targets": {
    "staging": {
      "host": "staging-app.internal.net",
      "port": 22,
      "username": "application-deployer",
      "privateKeyPath": "~/.ssh/id_dest_ed25519",
      "passphrase": "target-key-passphrase-here", 
      "remotePath": "/var/www/html",
      "uploadOnSave": true,
      "proxy": {
        "type": "ssh-jump",
        "host": "bastion-gate.external.com",
        "port": 22,
        "username": "bastion-admin",
        "privateKeyPath": "~/.ssh/id_proxy_rsa",
        "passphrase": true 
      }
    }
  }
}