Docs

How ShiftDesk works

What happens between pressing Connect and seeing the other screen: how two computers find each other, how the session is protected, and how the picture gets across so fast.

Two computers, one direct link

Every computer running ShiftDesk has a 9-digit address, such as 858 350 138. When you connect to an address, the ShiftDesk server only introduces the two computers to each other. Then they connect directly, peer to peer: the picture, sound, mouse, keyboard and files go from one computer to the other, not through us.

  • Direct first. Both computers find a way to reach each other through home and office routers, with no port forwarding and no VPN.
  • A relay when needed. Where a strict network blocks direct links, the session goes through our relay instead. It stays end-to-end encrypted: the relay passes on data it cannot read.
  • Local network. Computers on the same network find each other by themselves and connect without internet or server (UDP 21118, TCP 21119).
  • From a browser. This website connects the same way and with the same encryption, with nothing to install.

Protected from end to end

Every session is encrypted from end to end. Only the two computers hold the keys: nobody in between, us included, can see or change what passes.

  • Approval or password. Whoever connects waits until the person at the computer accepts, unless they have its password. A one-time password changes after every use.
  • The password never travels. Both sides prove they know it without sending it (a password-authenticated key exchange, CPace), so it cannot be caught on the way or guessed offline.
  • You see who is in. The computer shows who is connected and can end any session at once.
  • Signed updates. ShiftDesk installs only versions signed by us, so a tampered download is refused.

How it works in detail, what our server can and cannot see, and how to check it yourself: End-to-end encryption.

A fast, sharp picture

The screen is captured on the graphics card and compressed by the card's own video encoder (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel or Apple). That costs the processor almost nothing and adds very little delay: up to 144 frames a second.

  • Only what changes. A still screen sends nothing; when something moves, only the change goes out.
  • Sharp text. Parts of the screen that stop changing are sent once more without any loss, so text looks exactly as it does on the computer itself, even over a slow connection.
  • Keeps up with the network. When the connection slows down, ShiftDesk skips frames instead of falling behind, and lowers the quality only if the slowdown lasts.
  • Your choice of speed. The speed menu in the toolbar trades sharpness for smoothness, from 720p at 30 frames a second up to 144.

Mouse, keyboard, sound and files

  • Keyboard. Keys arrive as if typed on the remote computer's own keyboard, or translated to your layout. Shortcuts such as Ctrl+Alt+Del are in the toolbar.
  • Sound. The remote computer's sound plays on yours, and your microphone can be switched on.
  • Clipboard and files. Copy on one computer and paste on the other, and send files both ways.
  • Several screens. Switch between the remote computer's monitors from the toolbar.

One mouse and keyboard for every computer on your desk

Computers on the same network can share one mouse and keyboard: move the pointer off the edge of one screen and it carries on on the next computer, with the keyboard and clipboard following. Windows, Mac and Linux, in any mix.

What the server does

The server keeps addresses and accounts, introduces computers to each other, checks plans and logs who connected where and when. It never sees what is on a screen, what is typed or which files are sent.

Next: How to use ShiftDesk, every button step by step, and ShiftDesk for AI assistants (MCP).