TL;DR
Shellbox.dev is a service that lets users create lightweight Linux instances accessed solely over SSH, with no signup or complex setup. Instances pause when you disconnect, resume on reconnect, and are billed by usage with automatic stopping and deletion tied to your prepaid balance.
What happened
Shellbox.dev publishes a simple, SSH-first offering that creates ephemeral Linux boxes on demand. Users can create, list, connect to and delete boxes via an ssh-based CLI (examples shown: ssh shellbox.dev create <name>, connect <name>, list, billing, funds). Boxes run with a specified lightweight hardware profile (2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, 50 GB SSD) and are reachable over HTTPS via a unique public URL with automatic TLS. The platform preserves persistent state by pausing instances on disconnect and resuming them on reconnection. Billing is usage-based: $0.05 per hour while running and $0.005 per hour while stopped; accounts are prepaid, with a minimum top-up of $10. The service will stop boxes when the balance falls below $5 and will delete them at a zero balance. File transfers use scp (note: OpenSSH 9.0+ requires the -O flag for legacy SCP). Payments in the examples are routed through Paddle.
Why it matters
- Low-friction access: SSH-only workflow removes web consoles and signups for quick, on-the-fly development tasks.
- Cost control: usage-based pricing and automatic stop at low balance reduce charges for idle instances.
- Persistence with pause/resume: developers can disconnect without losing state and resume work later.
- Built-in TLS endpoints: every box gets a public HTTPS URL, simplifying exposure of web services.
Key facts
- Access and management use an SSH-hosted CLI (ssh shellbox.dev and ssh -t shellbox.dev connect <name>).
- Instance specs in examples: 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, 50 GB SSD.
- Instances pause on disconnect and resume on reconnect to preserve persistent state.
- Usage pricing shown: $0.05/hour while running; $0.005/hour while stopped.
- Minimum account top-up: $10 (prepaid balance model).
- Automatic controls: boxes stop when balance falls below $5 and are deleted at $0.
- Each box is assigned a unique public HTTPS URL with automatic TLS.
- Full SSH capabilities are supported, including port forwarding and scp file transfers.
- Note for scp: OpenSSH 9.0+ requires the -O flag to use the legacy SCP protocol.
- Refunds for unused funds and a Paddle-based payment flow (QR and URL) are shown in examples.
What to watch next
- Long-term data retention and backup policies beyond the stated deletion at $0 — not confirmed in the source.
- Support for custom images, snapshots, or importing existing environments — not confirmed in the source.
- Service-level guarantees, uptime SLA and operational limits for concurrent boxes — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- SSH: A network protocol for secure remote login and command execution on another machine.
- SCP: A protocol for copying files over SSH; some newer OpenSSH versions changed default behavior requiring flags for legacy mode.
- vCPU: A virtual central processing unit allocated to a virtual machine or container instance.
- TLS: Transport Layer Security, a cryptographic protocol that secures network communications such as HTTPS.
- Usage-based billing: A pricing model where customers are charged according to resource usage (e.g., hours running), rather than a flat subscription.
Reader FAQ
Do the boxes persist between SSH sessions?
Yes. The service pauses boxes on disconnect and resumes them on reconnect, preserving state.
How am I charged?
The site shows $0.05 per hour while running and $0.005 per hour while stopped; billing is prepaid from your account balance.
Is signup required?
The examples state 'No signup' and emphasize a simple SSH-first workflow.
What happens if my account runs out of funds?
According to the help text, boxes stop when the balance falls below $5 and are deleted at $0.
Can I use custom VM images or managed snapshots?
not confirmed in the source
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Sources
- Linux boxes via SSH: suspended when disconected
- Show HN: Shellbox – Instant Linux Boxes via SSH
- How to keep processes running after ending ssh session?
- How can I keep my SSH sessions from freezing?
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