How to Configure SSH for GitHub Authentication
Secure Shell (SSH) authentication is the recommended way to securely connect to GitHub repositories without needing to enter your credentials every time. In this guide, you'll learn how to configure SSH authentication for GitHub step by step.
Step 1: Check for Existing SSH Keys
Before generating a new SSH key, check if you already have one:
ls -al ~/.ssh
If you see files like id_rsa and id_rsa.pub, you already have an SSH key. You can use the existing key or generate a new one.
Step 2: Generate a New SSH Key
If you don’t have an SSH key or want a new one, generate it using:
ssh-keygen -o -a 100 -t ed25519 -f ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_github -C "ssh key for github"
If your system doesn’t support ed25519, use:
ssh-keygen -o -a 100 -t rsa -b 4096 -m PEM -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa_github -C "ssh key for github"
After running the command, you will be prompted to enter a strong passphrase. Type your passphrase, press Enter, then confirm it when prompted to enhance security.
Step 3: Add Your SSH Key to the SSH Agent
Start the SSH agent:
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
Then add your key:
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_github
If you used RSA, replace id_ed25519_github with id_rsa_github.
Step 4: Add the SSH Key to Your GitHub Account
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_github.pub
If you used RSA, replace id_ed25519_github.pub with id_rsa_github.pub.
Now, go to GitHub > Settings > SSH and GPG Keys and click New SSH Key. Paste the copied key and save it.
Step 5: Test the SSH Connection
Verify that your SSH key is correctly added by running:
ssh -T git@github.com
If prompted with:
This key is not known by any other names.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?
Type yes to proceed.
You should see a message like:
Hi username! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.
```
### Step 6: Configure Git to Use SSH (Optional)
If you're still using HTTPS for Git operations, switch to SSH:
```sh
git remote set-url origin git@github.com:username/repository.git
```
### Conclusion
You've successfully configured SSH authentication for GitHub! This setup allows you to securely connect to your repositories without entering your password repeatedly. Happy coding!
If you encounter any issues, check GitHub’s [SSH troubleshooting guide](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/troubleshooting-ssh).
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