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For most modern OpenSSH clients, create a key pair with ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com". Check whether you already have a key before accepting the suggested filename; protect the private key with a passphrase, and give the remote service only the matching public key ending in .pub.
Before generating a key, check whether you already have one
A new key pair is not always necessary. First look for existing SSH keys, especially if you use SSH for Git hosting or server access. GitHub’s guide recommends checking before generating a key and choosing a distinct filename if a default path is already occupied: GitHub Docs: Generating a new SSH key and adding it to the ssh-agent.
On macOS or Linux, a common place to check is the ~/.ssh directory. In Windows, check the SSH directory used by your OpenSSH environment. Filenames such as id_ed25519 and id_rsa are common, but a file’s presence alone does not establish which account or server uses it. If you see a key you recognize, avoid overwriting it. Generate the new pair under a different filename instead.
Generate a software-based SSH key pair
For a typical current OpenSSH client, Ed25519 is the straightforward choice. GitHub’s documented command is:
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ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"Replace the example comment with a useful label, often an email address or a description that helps identify the key. The comment is not a secret and does not determine the key’s permissions. The -t ed25519 option selects the key type; specifying it makes the intended type explicit. The upstream OpenSSH manual lists Ed25519 as the default key type: OpenBSD manual: ssh-keygen(1).
- Run the command in a terminal with OpenSSH’s
ssh-keygenavailable. - When prompted for a file location, accept the suggested path only if it will not replace a key you need. Otherwise enter a distinct path, such as a new filename in your SSH directory, and remember it for later commands.
- At the passphrase prompt, enter and confirm a passphrase to protect the private key. You can leave it empty, but that removes this additional protection.
The command creates two files: the private key at the chosen path and the corresponding public key with .pub appended. Keep the private key on the machine or in an appropriately protected local environment. Add or copy only the public key to the service or server that should accept it.
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Choose a key type that fits the target
| Situation | Guidance | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Modern OpenSSH client | Use Ed25519 for the ordinary workflow described here. | GitHub’s guide uses Ed25519, and the upstream manual lists it as the default key type. |
| Legacy system without Ed25519 support | GitHub documents RSA with 4096 bits as a fallback. | Check that both the client and target accept the relevant key and signature algorithms; support depends on the systems involved. |
| Hardware-backed authentication needed or preferred | Consider OpenSSH FIDO key types such as ed25519-sk or ecdsa-sk. |
A compatible token and client/build support are required, and the token must be available when the key is used. |
Compatibility guidance can be service-specific. For example, GitHub says it stopped accepting new DSA keys on March 15, 2022. Its RSA guidance distinguishes keys generated before November 2, 2021 from newer RSA keys, which require SHA-2 signatures. These are GitHub-specific statements, not universal rules for all SSH servers; see the GitHub key-generation guidance.
Understand and protect the private key
The private key is the credential used locally during SSH authentication; the public key is the part intended for installation on the account or server. Never upload, email, or paste the private-key file into a service’s public-key field. If a service requests an SSH key, it generally needs the contents of the matching .pub file.
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A passphrase adds protection if someone obtains the private-key file. It does not change the public key that you install. OpenSSH’s ssh-agent can hold a decrypted key for use during a session, reducing repeated passphrase entry; agent setup and integration with system keychains vary by operating system and shell. See the OpenSSH manual index for ssh-agent and the platform-specific instructions in GitHub’s ssh-agent guide.
Add the public key and verify access
- Open the target service’s SSH-key settings or follow the server administrator’s process for installing a public key.
- Display or open the public-key file for the pair you just created. Its path is the private-key path plus
.pub. Copy that public-key content to the target; do not substitute the private-key file. - Use the target service’s own documented authentication test command or try the intended SSH operation. The exact test command depends on the service and server configuration.
If authentication fails, confirm that you installed the public key from the intended pair, that the client is using the corresponding private key, and that the key type is supported by both ends. If you chose a custom filename, do not assume a client or agent will discover it automatically; follow the target’s instructions for selecting or loading that key.
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Use a hardware-backed key only when it fits your needs
FIDO-backed OpenSSH key types are an optional alternative for users or organizations that want a physical authenticator involved in authentication. OpenSSH release notes state: “the hardware token that the key belongs to must be attached when the key is used.” The token, OpenSSH build, and target environment must support the chosen method. See OpenSSH release notes and the ssh-keygen(1) manual for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate a new SSH key?
For a typical current OpenSSH client, run ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com". Check for an existing key first, choose a non-conflicting path when needed, and set a passphrase for the private key.
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How do I add my SSH key to the ssh-agent?
The exact startup and key-loading commands differ across operating systems and shells. GitHub’s instructions cover its workflow: Generating a new SSH key and adding it to the ssh-agent.
Quick Recap
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