What Is an SSH Executor?

An SSH executor is a runner mode that connects to a remote host over SSH and runs the job's commands there. The build executes in that machine's environment rather than on the runner itself. It is used to target specialized or pre-existing hardware that cannot host the runner agent directly.

Why it matters

Some builds need a specific machine, such as particular hardware or an OS the runner agent cannot run on. An SSH executor lets CI drive that host remotely. The trade-offs are connection reliability and the same weak isolation as running directly on a shared host.

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