---
title: Preview the docs site from a Zed remote session
description: Forward the Astro docs dev server (port 4321) over SSH so you can open it in your local browser while editing this repo through Zed remote development.
---

By the end of this tutorial you will open the docs site in your local browser
while its dev server runs on the remote host — with the repo edited through Zed
remote development over SSH.

The docs dev server binds to `127.0.0.1:4321` on the remote host, so
`localhost:4321` on your laptop reaches nothing until SSH forwards the port. Zed
does this for you once you add a `port_forwards` entry to your **local** Zed
settings.

You need about five minutes and a working Zed remote connection to the `rssbase`
host.

## Before you start

Make sure you already connect to the remote from Zed using the SSH host alias
`rssbase` (defined in your `~/.ssh/config`). The forward is keyed on that exact
host name.

## Step 1 — Add the port forward

Open your local Zed settings (`~/.config/zed/settings.json` on Linux, command
palette → `zed: open settings`) and add an `ssh_connections` entry:

```json
"ssh_connections": [
  {
    "host": "rssbase",
    "port_forwards": [
      { "local_port": 4321, "remote_port": 4321 }
    ]
  }
]
```

Zed turns this into an `ssh -L 4321:localhost:4321` tunnel. `remote_host` is
omitted, so it defaults to `localhost` on the remote — which matches where Astro
listens.

## Step 2 — Restart Zed

Port forwards are read at connection time and do not hot reload. Quit Zed
completely and reopen it, then reopen the `rssbase` remote project.

## Step 3 — Start the docs server on the remote

In the remote project's terminal, run:

```bash
docs
```

This runs `pnpm dev` for the Starlight site and serves it on
`http://127.0.0.1:4321` on the remote host.

## Step 4 — Open it locally

On your laptop, visit:

```
http://localhost:4321
```

You should see the RSSBase Docs site. Your browser hits local port 4321, SSH
forwards it to the remote, and Astro answers.

## What you did

- Added a `port_forwards` entry to your local Zed settings for the `rssbase` host.
- Restarted Zed so the SSH tunnel came up.
- Started the docs dev server on the remote.
- Loaded the live site in your local browser.

## Where to go next

- Edits under `docs/` hot reload in the same browser tab.
- If remote file saves or extension uploads start failing, a known Zed bug passes
  the `-L` flag to `scp` too ([zed#36454](https://github.com/zed-industries/zed/issues/36454));
  remove the `port_forwards` entry when you are not previewing the site.