Xerxes Home Lab
Documentation for the Xerxes Home Lab app.
Download the macOS version today for free!
macOS Menubar app
Discover and manage your network servers effortlessly with a lightweight, high-performance macOS menu bar app designed for speed and simplicity.
The app automatically detects your local subnet or lets you specify a custom subnet to scan, quickly identifying devices with SSH (port 22) open. It also scans Bonjour/mDNS to match hostnames with IP addresses, giving you clear identification for every server on your network. All detected servers appear in a live dropdown from the menu bar, so you can access them instantly with a single click.
Detail View
Clicking on a server opens a detailed view with multiple tabs. The Information tab shows critical system stats including fan speed, RAM usage, and hard drive space. The Docker tab displays all Docker Engine containers, their status, and even allows you to install Docker Engine directly from the app.
Login and Keychain
The app does not save or trasmit passwords over the network other than to communicate with devices.
A Security tab (<- Logout) lets you manage your keychain safely, delete SSH key files, and log out when needed. Login is seamless and secure using Apple Keychain, while all SSH communication is handled via Apple NIO for fast, asynchronous, and reliable connections.
The app uses local and secure system level Apple Keychain access for all passwords and keys. View, delete, and manage keys in the app or through Apple Keychain securely and privately.
When you first login, each device shown in the dropdown menu will have a yellow dot next to it, signifying a "logged out" state. You can login by clicking on the dot. After clicking on the dot, login with either a Plain Password or SSH Key by clicking on the button and choosing your key.
Additional menus allow the user to scan a different subnet to the one they are on (Settings). This will be saved in the user's preferences for conventient future scans of the network.
Containers
The Containers tab allows the user to browse Docker containers on the device. If Docker is not installed, a button will allow users to perform a basic installation of Docker Engine on the target device.
Future enhancements will allow greater control and configuration of Docker containers.
System Requirements
Requirements include macOS 14.6 or later, access to the local network or VPN for scanning, and Apple Keychain for secure authentication. Take control of your network, monitor servers, manage Docker containers, and connect via SSH effortlessly, all from your Mac menu bar.
Download the macOS version today for free!