Docker Over SSH: Managing Containers Without Docker Desktop

For years, the standard workflow for container management has been: install Docker Desktop on your Mac, connect to remote registries, and manage local containers. But what if your containers aren't running locally? What if they're on production servers, staging environments, or cloud instances?

FoxTerm offers a different approach: manage remote containers over SSH through a native interface. No local Docker daemon, no resource-heavy virtualization, no licensing fees.

The Traditional Workflow

Here's how most developers manage remote containers today:

SSH into the server
Run docker ps to see running containers
Run docker logs <container> to check output
Run docker stop <container> to stop it
Repeat for each operation

This works, but it's tedious. You're constantly switching between terminal commands, remembering syntax, and parsing text output.

The FoxTerm Approach

Connect to your server once, and FoxTerm automatically detects if Docker or Podman is installed. If so, a full container management interface appears:

Visual Container List

See all running containers with:

Status indicators (running, stopped, paused)
Resource usage (CPU, memory)
Port mappings
Creation time

One click to view logs, stats, or take action.

One-Click Operations

Start / Stop / Restart — No command memorization
Pause / Unpause — Suspend without stopping
Kill — Force stop unresponsive containers
Remove — Clean up with confirmation dialogs

Real-Time Statistics

Monitor each container's resource usage:

CPU percentage with per-core breakdown
Memory usage vs. limit
Network I/O (bytes/sec)
Disk I/O (read/write throughput)

No need to run docker stats manually — the data updates in real-time.

Compose Stack Deployment

This is where FoxTerm really shines. Deploying a Docker Compose stack traditionally involves:

Writing the YAML file locally
SCP/SFTP uploading it to the server
SSH-ing in to run docker compose up
Checking logs to verify everything started

FoxTerm streamlines this into a guided workflow:

Step 1: Define the Stack

Paste or write your docker-compose.yml in FoxTerm's built-in editor (with syntax highlighting).

Step 2: Configure Environment

Add .env variables through a visual interface — no manual file editing.

Step 3: Deploy

FoxTerm creates the project directory, uploads files via SFTP, and runs docker compose up -d. You see real-time logs during deployment.

Step 4: Monitor

Once deployed, monitor all services in the container list. View aggregated logs or drill into individual services.

Podman Support

Everything that works with Docker works with Podman. FoxTerm auto-detects the runtime and uses appropriate commands. Rootless Podman containers are fully supported.

Why This Matters

Resource Efficiency: No local Docker daemon consuming RAM and CPU. Your Mac stays fast.

Security: Containers run on servers, not your laptop. Reduced attack surface.

Consistency: Manage dev, staging, and production environments through the same interface.

Simplicity: No need to remember complex Docker CLI commands. Everything is visual.

Advanced Features

Image Management

List all images with size and creation date
Pull images with progress tracking
Remove unused images
Prune dangling images

Volume & Network Management

Create, list, and remove volumes
Monitor volume disk usage
Manage Docker networks (bridge, overlay, macvlan)
Prune unused networks

System Operations

Analyze disk usage (docker system df)
Full system prune (containers, images, volumes, networks)
View what will be removed before executing

The Bottom Line

FoxTerm transforms container management from a CLI chore into a visual workflow. Whether you're deploying a single container or a multi-service Compose stack, everything happens through an intuitive interface — over SSH, on your terms.

Download FoxTerm at foxterm.app.