How to send screenshots to Codex CLI over SSH

Why screenshots do not simply paste over SSH

A normal SSH terminal carries text and terminal control sequences. It does not automatically transport your device’s image clipboard. A path in iPad Photos is not a file on the server. You need an actual transfer, a client that bridges images, or an HTTPS fetch on the receiving machine.

Attach an image that exists on the Codex host

Transfer the screenshot with SCP, SFTP or your client’s image upload. In a shell on the machine running Codex, start it with --image and the local file path, then enter your question. The flag expects a file, so do not substitute an HTTPS URL. Choose a model and environment that support image input.

codex --image ./screenshot.png

Commands are examples. Replace user, devbox, project paths and the example URL with your own values. Run file-transfer commands in a shell, not in the agent’s chat. Keep private links out of shared logs and shell history.

Download a temporary link once, then attach it

Create a fresh Share2AI link and retrieve it on the Codex host. The example creates a private temporary directory and starts Codex only if curl succeeds. Replace the reserved example URL with the real link and keep its format consistent with the downloaded image. Do not run a test GET first. Remove the local copy after your task.

umask 077
screenshot_dir=$(mktemp -d) &&
curl --fail --show-error --proto '=https' --max-time 60 \
  --output "$screenshot_dir/screenshot.png" \
  'https://example.invalid/replace-with-your-fresh-link' &&
codex --image "$screenshot_dir/screenshot.png"

Commands are examples. Replace user, devbox, project paths and the example URL with your own values. Run file-transfer commands in a shell, not in the agent’s chat. Keep private links out of shared logs and shell history.

Handle network and filesystem restrictions

If an agent downloads for you, its environment must allow the request and the save location. Review any approval request and keep the destination narrowly scoped. If fetching is unavailable, transfer the screenshot through your authorized SSH connection instead. Do not disable the sandbox or make the directory public to attach an image.

Give the screenshot a precise task

Describe what you expected, what actually happened and the relevant screen size. Ask the agent to inspect the image before changing code. A screenshot shows the symptom; the source code and reproduction steps explain the cause. Use the example below as a starting point and replace the bracketed link.

Retrieve this screenshot once and inspect it: [link]. The button overlaps the text on iPad. Explain the likely cause and suggest a fix. If you cannot view the image, tell me before making assumptions.

Screenshot → Share2AI → your AI

Install Share2AI on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Open the app and activate or restore your subscription before using the share extension.
Check the screenshot and hide passwords, personal messages and other sensitive details. On iPhone or iPad, open it in Photos, tap Share and select Share2AI. If needed, find it under More.
Wait for the upload and the confirmation that the link was copied. Paste that fresh link into your AI conversation with a specific question. Do not open it yourself to test it first.
Ask the agent to retrieve and inspect the screenshot once. If it needs a local attachment, download the image on the machine running the agent, then attach that saved file. A URL only works when the tool can fetch and process images.

Temporary access and privacy

Anyone with an active link can access the screenshot. Share2AI deletes its temporary copy after successful delivery or expiration; the initial lifetime is 30 minutes, and the app shows the applicable expiry. Removing metadata does not hide visible secrets. Copies downloaded to your server and data retained by the destination AI follow their own retention rules.

Privacy Policy

Troubleshooting and FAQ

The AI cannot open the link. What should I check?

Check whether it supports image input and outbound HTTPS. A text-only web fetcher may not pass image pixels to the model. If permitted, download once to the agent’s machine and attach the local image. Do not turn off security controls just to make a link work.

Why did the link stop working?

It may have been delivered already or expired. Opening it in a browser or downloading it with curl can use the one-time delivery. Create a fresh link for another delivery; keep a successfully downloaded local copy for the current task.

Can I send several screenshots or any file?

Share2AI handles one screenshot per upload. PNG and JPEG are supported; the Apple client can convert HEIC before uploading. Documents, archives and batches are outside the screenshot workflow.

Send the screenshot from where you are

Share a screenshot, copy its temporary link and bring visual context to your remote AI.

Share2AI costs $0.99 per month in the United States. The App Store shows your local price before purchase. There is no free trial. The subscription renews automatically until canceled in your Apple Account settings.