SSH Key Setup and App Deployment on a Self-Managed VPS via MCP

When you purchase a Self-Managed VPS through Bluehost's MCP server, your AI assistant walks you through SSH key setup and initial application deployment—all from within your conversation. This article explains how SSH access is set up before your server is provisioned, and what to expect as your AI assistant deploys your application afterward.

Choosing How You'll Access Your Server

Before you purchase a Self-Managed VPS through MCP, your AI assistant will ask how you'd like to handle SSH access. SSH is how you securely connect to and manage your server after it's provisioned. You have two options:

For current Self-Managed VPS pricing and plans, visit bluehost.com.

Use an existing key. Provide a public SSH key you already have. This is a good fit if you manage multiple servers and want to keep the same access credentials across them.
Generate a new key. Your AI assistant generates a new SSH key pair for you. The private key and connection instructions are delivered once your server is provisioned.

If you generate a new key, store the private key somewhere secure once you receive it. If it's lost, you'll need to generate a new SSH key pair and reconfigure access to your server.

Once you've confirmed your SSH preference, your AI assistant proceeds with the purchase. Your server is provisioned with the matching access credentials from the start, so there's no separate SSH configuration step to complete afterward.

What Happens After Your Server Is Provisioned

Once your server is provisioned, your AI assistant walks you through deploying your application step by step, all from within the chat. It provides the commands to run in your terminal one section at a time, covering these phases:

Install dependencies — sets up your server with the software your application needs to run, such as a web server, programming language, and any required frameworks.
Create app files — your AI assistant generates your application code and transfers it to the server, ready to run.
Configure the web server — sets up routing so your application is reachable from a browser.
Set up a background service — keeps your application running automatically, including after the server restarts.
Go live — once all steps are complete, you'll receive an IP address, and your application is accessible from a web browser.

If a command returns an error, just describe what happened in the chat. Your AI assistant will explain what went wrong and walk you through the corrected steps.

Summary

Setting up SSH access for a Self-Managed VPS purchased through MCP happens before your server is provisioned—you choose to use an existing key or have one generated for you. Your AI assistant then walks you through deploying your application afterward, one step at a time, right in the chat.

If you need further assistance, Bluehost Chat Support is available 24 hours a day, 7days a week while Bluehost Phone Support is available 7 days a week from 7 am-12 midnight EST.

Chat Support - While on our website, you should see a CHAT bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Click anywhere on the bubble to begin a chat session.
Phone Support -
- US: 888-401-4678
- International: +1 801-765-9400

You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.