Securely Manage Your Pyro‑Hosted Server with WinSCP
Using SFTP through WinSCP is a quick and reliable way to move, edit and sync files on your Pyro‑hosted server without opening a browser. The steps below show how to collect your credentials, save a one‑click session, transfer files safely and solve common problems.
Prerequisites
- WinSCP installed on your computer.
- At least one running or stopped server in Pyrodactyl.
- Your server’s Host, Port (default 2022), Username and Password or an SSH key.
- (Optional) A public–private SSH key pair generated with
ssh-keygenor PuTTYgen.
1. Gather Your SFTP Credentials
- Log in to the Pyrodactyl control panel and open your server.
- Select Settings → SFTP Details. The panel lists the hostname, port and auto‑generated username; the password is the same one you use to sign in to the panel.
- Copy these four values to a temporary note so you can paste them into WinSCP.
- Key‑based login (recommended): generate or import an SSH key pair, then add the public key under API → SSH Keys.
2. Create and Save a WinSCP Session
- Open WinSCP.
- In the Login window fill in the fields as shown below.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| File protocol | SFTP |
| Host name | Your Host value |
| Port number | Your Port, usually 2022 |
| User name | Your Username |
| Password | Your Password (leave blank when you use an SSH key) |
- Select Save, give the entry a clear name such as “Pyrodactyl – MyServer” and optionally check Save password if you are not using keys.
- Click Login. The first time you connect, WinSCP shows the server’s host‑key fingerprint; verify and accept it so future connections are trusted.
3. Transfer and Edit Files
WinSCP displays two panes:
- Left: your local machine
- Right: your server’s file system
Drag items between the panes to upload or download.
Common Tasks
- Upload or download: drag files in the desired direction.
- Edit in place: double‑click a text file to open WinSCP’s internal editor, then save to write directly back to the server.
- Rename, move or delete: right‑click a file or folder in the remote pane and choose the action you need.
- Change permissions: right‑click → Properties and set the numeric mode such as
755.
Automatic Syncing
If you develop locally but run the code on the server, choose Commands → Keep Remote Directory Up to Date. WinSCP watches the local folder and automatically pushes any change to the server.
4. Advanced WinSCP Tweaks
| Setting | Where to Find It | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Connection timeout | Options → Preferences → Connection | Raise the value (for example, 30 seconds) to avoid disconnects on slow networks. |
| Parallel transfers | Transfer Settings → Maximal number of transfers | More streams can improve throughput when the server allows it. |
| Optimize buffer size | Advanced → Connection | Disabling this option often speeds up SCP or SFTP on high‑latency links. |
| Proxy | Advanced → Connection → Proxy | Specify your proxy type and address if you are behind a corporate firewall. |
| Passive or active FTP | Advanced → Connection → FTP | Although SFTP ignores this setting, it is useful when you also use WinSCP for classic FTP transfers. |
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| “Login failed” | Mistyped host, port, username or password | Double‑check the values in Settings → SFTP Details. |
| Connection timeout | Server powered off or suspended | Start or resume the server in the panel. |
“Permission denied” outside /home/container |
The daemon restricts access for security | Work only inside /home/container. |
| Host‑key mismatch | The server was rebuilt and generated a new SSH key | Remove the old key from Tools → Preferences → Storage, then reconnect and accept the new fingerprint. |
| Slow transfers | High latency or too few parallel streams | Increase the number of simultaneous transfers or disable Optimize buffer size. |
Need More Help?
- Open a support ticket in the Pyrodactyl panel and describe the problem in detail.
- Include a screenshot of the WinSCP window (hide any passwords).
- Copy the exact error text or WinSCP log entry.
The Pyro support team is ready to help you keep your server running smoothly.
