SFTP connection doesn't open host SFTP prompt

Question

Having the following bitbucket-pipeline.yml:

pipelines: 
 default: 
  - step: 
   name: deploy to production 
   script: 
    - sftp -oPort=PPPP pi@XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
    - cd /home/username/webserver
    - put -r nameOfTheBuildFolder build/ - exit

I can see that  the sftp command is being executed, but the result is just logging:

"Connected to XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX"

But it's not opening a sftp prompt.

Is there a way to actually browse and do command on the sftp prompt? Or is there a command to connect to the sftp prompt?

I also made a ticket at stackoverflow: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50529815/bitbucket-pipeline-sftp-connection-doesnt-open-host-sftp-prompt

Mehdi Mohamed · Answer

@Jonas Coenen trust me I am in the same situation, I have tried way too many FTP solutions but with Bit bucket it seems mystery. I have received a solution just now from Atlassian team which is as follows, please try it and let me know if it worked. Although the support is quick, but the level of support/response is not satisfactory for me to recommend bitbucket pipelines to other customers.

Solution to set up hosts within Bitbucket:

https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Bitbucket-questions/How-do-I-set-up-ssh-public-key-authentication-so-that-I-can-use/qaq-p/171671

For transferring the files using PSFTP, you will need to add the following commands before the call:

cd /home/ftp/users/jeff
del jam-old.tar.gz
ren jam.tar.gz jam-old.tar.gz
put jam.tar.gz
chmod a+r jam.tar.gz

and then run the script.
Please refer to this document for more details: 
https://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/0.60/htmldoc/Chapter6.html

There are also more solutions offered in the following post:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7576700/how-to-pass-value-to-psftp-prompt

Please take a look, make necessary adjustments to the YML file and create the recommended file with batch commands and give it a go.

I am using Solarwinds SFTP server and bit bucket pipelines, I'll try my luck. Let me know if the solution mentioned works for you.

jredmond · Answer

Pipelines are meant to be non-interactive, so it won't give you a prompt. You'll need either to use SSH keys for authentication, or provide the relevant password as an environment variable.