Use a session
Once you submit a request, each session has its own detail page where you launch features, track status, and manage the session. Open a session from the Sessions page or from the link shown after you request one.
Session detail tabs
The detail page has three tabs:
- Session — the main view: status and timeline, purpose, target servers, available features, and the CLI quick start.
- History — activity recorded during the session.
- Analysis — an AI risk analysis of the session, available after the session ends.
Launch features in the browser
On the Session tab, the Available features card lists what the session grants.
- Features that open in the browser—web terminal, file transfer, and code editor—show a Launch button. Click it to start working. If a feature needs a target server, you’re prompted to pick one.
- CLI-only features—execute commands and port forwarding—show the command to run, with a copy button.
Launch is available only while the session is Active, and the code editor and port forwarding require a server that has those features enabled.
Note: Set your username before launching a feature for the first time, if you haven’t already. See username.
Attach from the CLI
To use a session’s features from the command line, attach to it first. The Get started in CLI card shows the command:
$ alpacon work-session use SESSION_IDAfter attaching, run the feature commands shown on each feature—for example alpacon websh, alpacon exec, or alpacon tunnel. See the alpacon work-session CLI reference for all commands and flags.
Session lifecycle
A session moves through these statuses:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Request submitted, waiting for administrator approval. Not usable yet. |
| Approved | Approved and scheduled to start. Usable once it becomes active. |
| Active | Currently usable. Launch features, attach from the CLI, extend, or terminate. |
| Completed | Ended early by the user while active. |
| Expired | Reached its end time. |
| Rejected | The administrator rejected the request. |
| Cancelled | The requester cancelled before approval. |
| Revoked | The administrator revoked an approved session before it became active. |
The timeline on the Session tab shows where the session is in this lifecycle.
Manage a session
The actions available depend on the session’s status and your role:
- Extend session — On an active or approved session, extend the end time with a preset (+1, +2, +4 hours) or a custom time. The new end time can’t exceed your workspace’s maximum duration.
- Terminate now — On an active session, end it immediately. All active connections close right away. This can’t be undone. Available to the session owner and administrators.
- Cancel — On a pending session, cancel your own request before it’s approved.
- Revoke — Administrators can revoke an approved session before it becomes active.
Changing features or servers
Administrators can edit the features or target servers of an approved or active session. Changes may need another approval before they take effect. While a change is awaiting approval, you’ll see a banner noting that some changes are pending, and you can cancel the pending change.