My developers won't give me access to my server

Including things like 'here's how to disable access to github, the server, the database, change ssh keys, here's where the backups are, these are the services you need to change over, this is how you request a final invoice and pay it, here's how you engage another contractor or consultant, here's a rundown of the project to get them up to speed', all of that kind of stuff and more I can't think about at the moment.

I think it's very important to make sure the client knows that they are in charge - and it makes it easier to do things your way, since the client has a very clear picture of what power they have and how it operates. This means they can trust you to do your job well, and actually makes them less prone to interfere just to reassure themselves they can.

These are useful in a non-client environment too - having a run sheet for your job is great for when you're out sick or on vacation. If you can't be sure that your work will be just fine without you, how can you really enjoy a vacation?

I think we spend a lot of time automating our technical tasks, while missing a bunch of easy 'automation' in terms of checklists and documentation. Make it easy for someone to fill your shoes for the day if needed.

Code should be on Github/Bitbucket and you should have full access to it. Database schema should be there too. You want a database dump? Ask for one. If they don't provide, hire someone to reset access and fire them.

But don't poke around the server in the middle of their work because you're curious. That's a dick move.

> Anyway because of this I tried to use the terminal option to access my server but I got a 'port 22: Connection refused' error.

Oh good, your developer isn't as much of a halfwit as you. He either set up a firewall restricting access to his IP or he changed the port sshd is on.

TALK to him. Ask him to do what you want. If he refuses, hire somebody who knows what they're doing to fix the mess.

My major assumption is we are getting the full story. In my experience, there is almost always a lot more to these stories.

I'm rather confused why this is trending as high as it is on hacker news though.