SSH Gaming: Turning a Login into a Level

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Turn SSH logins into interactive games using OpenSSH's ForceCommand, a unique approach to shell-less gaming experiences

advanced Published 26 Feb 2026
Action Steps
  1. Replace the default shell with a custom game using OpenSSH's ForceCommand
  2. Configure the server to run the game upon SSH login
  3. Test the gaming experience by SSHing into the server
  4. Customize the game to fit specific themes or requirements
  5. Deploy the game on a cloud server for public access
Who Needs to Know This

Developers and system administrators can benefit from this innovative approach to create engaging and interactive shell experiences, enhancing user interaction with servers

Key Insight

💡 OpenSSH's ForceCommand can be used to replace the default shell with a custom application, such as a game

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🚀 Turn SSH logins into games! 🎮 Using OpenSSH's ForceCommand, create a 'shell-less' gaming experience 🤯

Key Takeaways

Turn SSH logins into interactive games using OpenSSH's ForceCommand, a unique approach to shell-less gaming experiences

Full Article

What happens when you replace a user's terminal shell with a video game? I spent the weekend experimenting with OpenSSH's ForceCommand to create a 'shell-less' gaming experience. The result is XZAP a classic Commorore 16 game inspired GO muse, you play by simply SSHing into my server
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