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kombify Connect lets your other Workbench Desktop installations work in an environment on this computer: its projects, threads and, if you allow it, its terminal. You choose which computer shares its environment and which installations may reach it. You can take that access back at any time.
kombify Connect in Workbench Desktop is in Alpha. Screens, names and what is available to your account can still change.

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Before you start

  • You need a kombify account. If you do not have one, create it first with Create an account.
  • Connect is part of the Cloud edition of Workbench Desktop. The Local edition has no kombify account and no Connect. See Local and Cloud editions.
  • Every installation that takes part must be signed in to the same kombify account.
  • The sharing computer must be switched on and running Workbench Desktop while others use its environment. It only makes outgoing connections, so you do not open any ports on your router.

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Share this computer’s environment

1

Open Connections

In Workbench Desktop, open Settings and choose Connections. The kombify Connect row sits with your kombify account in the settings of this environment.
2

Turn sharing on

Turn on Share this environment through kombify Connect. Expect the message “Environment shared”. The home screen also offers this as Share this computer.
If the switch is unavailable, the text next to it says why. For example, you are not signed in, the installation is not registered yet, or the computer could not open its Connect key.

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Pair another installation

A pairing code connects one more installation to the environment you shared.
1

Create a code on the sharing computer

Under Pair another installation, choose Create code. Turn on Terminal first only if the other installation should also get a terminal in this environment. The code is valid for 10 minutes and works once.
2

Enter the code on the other installation

On the other installation, open Settings, then Connections. Under Use a pairing code, enter the code and choose Pair. Expect the message “Installation paired”.
3

Open the shared environment

The shared environment appears under Remote environments on the other installation. Open its projects and threads as you would local ones.
A code only works on an installation signed in to the same account, and never on the installation that created it. If 10 minutes pass, create a new code.

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Let new installations connect automatically

Instead of pairing each installation, you can turn on Automatically connect new devices. New installations that sign in to your account then get access to your shared environments. Pairing codes stay available for one-off connections. Leave this off if other people use computers signed in to your account.

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See who has access

kombify Connect devices lists every installation of your account with its state and how its key is protected: in the TPM, by the operating system, or in software. The entry marked “this device” is the computer you are using. The state reads Access to this environment (or with terminal) for an installation you paired, Active for one signed in without access, Waiting for confirmation for a new one, and Revoked for one you shut out.

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Revoke access

  • One installation: in kombify Connect devices, choose Revoke next to it. Expect the message “Installation revoked”. Its open sessions end, normally within seconds, and it can no longer reach any of your environments. If a computer that shares an environment cannot be reached at that moment, choose Revoke again once it is back online.
  • One installation’s access, keeping the installation: choose Remove access next to it. It loses the access it was given, including the terminal, but stays registered to your account, so you can pair it again later.
  • Everyone: turn off Share this environment through kombify Connect. Expect the message “Environment no longer shared”. Existing remote sessions end.
Revoking is final for that installation: a revoked installation cannot be paired again. If you want access later, use Remove access instead.

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Local and Cloud editions

Workbench Desktop comes in two editions with separate installers: The two editions keep separate data on your computer. An update always stays within the edition you installed and never switches it. To switch editions, install the other edition. Nothing is copied over automatically: your projects on disk stay where they are, and you add them in the new edition yourself. Threads and settings stay in the edition that created them. You can keep both editions installed.

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If something goes wrong

  • “Could not redeem the pairing code”. The code expired, was already used, or the two installations are signed in to different accounts. Create a new code on the sharing computer and check the account on both.
  • “kombify Connect is unavailable”. Connect may not be available for your account yet, or the service cannot be reached. Try again later.
  • The shared environment does not appear. Check that the sharing computer is on, Workbench Desktop is running there and sharing is still on.
  • Still stuck. Write to info@kombify.io, say which screen you were on and when it happened, and never send a password or a pairing code.