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Github SSH Setup

SSH authentication setup for github​

1. Generate a New SSH Key​

Use a label related to GitHub, like id_ed25519_github.

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "john@example-mail.com"
  • Save it as: ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_github
  • Set a passphrase (optional but recommended)

2. Add SSH Key to SSH Agent​

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_github

3. Add SSH Key to GitHub​

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_github.pub

Copy the output.

Then:

  • Go to GitHub SSH Settings
  • Paste the public key
  • Give it a meaningful title: laptop-id_ed25519_github

PART 2: Set Up Git to Use SSH​

In your project (or globally)​

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your_username@users.noreply.github.com"

Replace your_username with your actual GitHub username.

To hide your real email, make sure:

  1. You use your GitHub noreply email
  2. You enable "Keep my email address private" on GitHub:

PART 3: Ensure GitHub Uses SSH (Not HTTPS)​

Change remote URL to use SSH:

git remote set-url origin git@github.com:john/john-repo-name.git

PART 4: Test SSH Connection​

ssh -T git@github.com

Expected output:

Hi USERNAME! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.

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This also works for multiple accounts like personal-work

nano ~/.ssh/config

Add:

Host github.com
  HostName github.com
  User git
  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_github

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