Git SSH Keys: A Complete Tutorial | Atlassian Git Tutorial (2024)

How to create an SSH Key

SSH keys are generated through a public key cryptographic algorithm, the most common being RSA or DSA. At a very high level SSH keys are generated through a mathematical formula that takes 2 prime numbers and a random seed variable to output the public and private key. This is a one-way formula that ensures the public key can be derived from the private key but the private key cannot be derived from the public key.

SSH keys are created using a key generation tool. The SSH command line tool suite includes a keygen tool. Most git hosting providers offer guides on how to create an SSH Key.

Generate an SSH Key on Mac and Linux

Both OsX and Linux operating systems have comprehensive modern terminal applications that ship with the SSH suite installed. The process for creating an SSH key is the same between them.

1. execute the following to begin the key creation

ssh-keygen-trsa-b4096-C"[email protected]"

This command will create a new SSH key using the email as a label

2. You will then be prompted to "Enter a file in which to save the key."
You can specify a file location or press “Enter” to accept the default file location.

>Enterafileinwhichtosavethekey(/Users/you/.ssh/id_rsa):[Pressenter]

3. The next prompt will ask for a secure passphrase. A passphrase will add an additional layer of security to the SSH and will be required anytime the SSH key is used. If someone gains access to the computer that private keys are stored on, they could also gain access to any system that uses that key. Adding a passphrase to keys will prevent this scenario.

>Enterpassphrase(emptyfornopassphrase):[Typeapassphrase]
>Entersamepassphraseagain:[Typepassphraseagain]

At this point, a new SSH key will have been generated at the previously specified file path.

4. Add the new SSH key to the ssh-agent

The ssh-agent is another program that is part of the SSH toolsuite. The ssh-agent is responsible for holding private keys. Think of it like a keychain. In addition to holding private keys it also brokers requests to sign SSH requests with the private keys so that private keys are never passed around unsecurly.

Before adding the new SSH key to the ssh-agent first ensure the ssh-agent is running by executing:

$eval"$(ssh-agent-s)"
>Agentpid59566

Once the ssh-agent is running the following command will add the new SSH key to the local SSH agent.

ssh-add-K/Users/you/.ssh/id_rsa

The new SSH key is now registered and ready to use!

Generate an SSH Key on Windows

Windows environments do not have a standard default unix shell. External shell programs will need to be installed for to have a complete keygen experience. The most straight forward option is to utilize Git Bash. Once Git Bash is installed the same steps for Linux and Mac can be followed within the Git Bash shell.

Windows Linux Subsystem

Modern windows environments offer a windows linux subsystem. The windows linux subsystem offers a full linux shell within a traditional windows environment. If a linux subsystem is available the same steps previously discussed for Linux and Mac can be followed with in the windows linux subsystem.

Summary

SSH keys are used to authenticate secure connections. Following this guide, you will be able to create and start using an SSH key. Git is capable of using SSH keys instead of traditional password authentication when pushing or pulling to remote repositories. Modern hosted git solutions like Bitbucket support SSH key authentication.

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Git SSH Keys: A Complete Tutorial | Atlassian Git Tutorial (2024)

FAQs

How to use git with SSH keys? ›

Steps to setup GitHub SSH connections
  1. Create a GitHub SSH key pair with the ssh-keygen command.
  2. Copy the value of the public SSH key to the clipboard.
  3. Login to GitHub and navigate to your account settings.
  4. Click on the link for SSH and GPG keys.
  5. Click Add Key to register the public SSH key with your account.
Jan 30, 2024

Can I use git without SSH key? ›

You must also add the public SSH key to your account on GitHub before you use the key to authenticate or sign commits.

Why use SSH keys for git? ›

SSH keys are used to authenticate secure connections. Following this guide, you will be able to create and start using an SSH key. Git is capable of using SSH keys instead of traditional password authentication when pushing or pulling to remote repositories.

How to use SSH key in git clone command? ›

How to Set Up SSH and Clone Repository Using SSH in Git
  1. Set up SSH. Step 1: Generate SSH Key Pair. Step 2: Add Key To GitHub. Step 3: Test the Connection. Step 4: Check Local SSH Agent. ...
  2. Clone Repository Using SSH Protocol. Step 1: Go to Repository Page. Step 2: Obtain SSH URL. Step 3: Clone Repository.
  3. Cloning with SSH vs. HTTPS.
Nov 2, 2023

How to use SSH key? ›

The SSH public key authentication has four steps:
  1. Generate a private and public key, known as the key pair. ...
  2. Add the corresponding public key to the server.
  3. The server stores and marks the public key as approved.
  4. The server allows access to anyone who proves the ownership of the corresponding private key.
Aug 10, 2021

How do I generate a SSH key? ›

For Windows 10 & 11
  1. Press the Windows key or open up the Start Menu. Type “cmd”.
  2. Under “Best Match”, click “Command Prompt”.
  3. In the command prompt, use the ssh-keygen command: ...
  4. The system will now generate the key pair and display the key fingerprint and a randomart image. ...
  5. Open your file explorer.

Are SSH keys necessary? ›

SSH supports two main methods of authentication: passwords and keys. Passwords are easy to use and remember, but they are also vulnerable to brute-force attacks, phishing, and human errors. Keys are more secure and efficient, but they require more setup and management.

Do you need an SSH key for each repository? ›

No. An SSH key is used to establish a secure connection between a computer and CodeArts Repo. After you create an SSH key pair on your computer and add the public SSH key to your account in CodeArts Repo, you can use the key to access all repositories under the account on your computer.

How to check your SSH key? ›

Checking for existing SSH keys
  1. Open Terminal .
  2. Enter ls -al ~/.ssh to see if existing SSH keys are present. $ ls -al ~/.ssh # Lists the files in your .ssh directory, if they exist.
  3. Check the directory listing to see if you already have a public SSH key. ...
  4. Either generate a new SSH key or upload an existing key.

Do I need SSH key to clone? ›

In order to be able to clone a remote Git repository using the SSH protocol, you will have to create a new SSH key pair on your local machine, and add this key to your Git hosting service.

How to set Git to use specific SSH key? ›

Using GIT_SSH_COMMAND

git with the SSH URL of the repository you want to clone. In CircleCI this is typically ~/. ssh/<key_type>_<fingerprint> . This command sets the GIT_SSH_COMMAND environment variable for the duration of the git clone command, causing Git to use the specified SSH key for authentication.

How to push to repo with SSH key? ›

SSH keypair setup for GitHub (or GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket, etc, etc)
  1. Create a repo. Make sure there is at least one file in it (even just the README.md)
  2. Generate a SSH key pair (private/public): ...
  3. Copy the contents of the public SSH key. ...
  4. Copy the public SSH key to GitHub. ...
  5. Test the SSH key:

How to use Git commands with SSH? ›

Using Git via Command Line
  1. Step 1: Get SSH Access. Connect to your server via SSH. ...
  2. Step 2: Generate SSH Key (Master Credentials Only) ...
  3. Step 3: Upload the SSH Public Key to Your Git Repository. ...
  4. Step 4: Deploy Code Using Git Commands.

How to integrate SSH key to GitHub? ›

Adding a new SSH key to your account
  1. Copy the SSH public key to your clipboard. ...
  2. In the upper-right corner of any page on GitHub, click your profile photo, then click Settings.
  3. In the "Access" section of the sidebar, click SSH and GPG keys.
  4. Click New SSH key or Add SSH key.

How do I push code to GitHub with SSH key? ›

SSH keypair setup for GitHub (or GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket, etc, etc)
  1. Create a repo. Make sure there is at least one file in it (even just the README.md)
  2. Generate a SSH key pair (private/public): ...
  3. Copy the contents of the public SSH key. ...
  4. Copy the public SSH key to GitHub. ...
  5. Test the SSH key:

How to use a different SSH key with Git? ›

How to Use Multiple SSH Keys For Different Git Accounts
  1. 1 – Create a New SSH Key. The first thing you will need is an SSH key that will be added to your corresponding Github account. ...
  2. 2 – Add SSH Key to Github Account. ...
  3. 3 – Modify SSH config. ...
  4. 4 – Associate Repository to New Key. ...
  5. 5 – Set User For Current Repository.
Dec 29, 2022

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