A Comprehensive Guide to Generating and Adding SSH Keys for GitHub

Introduction

Using SSH keys for secure communication with GitHub is essential for developers and collaborators. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of generating SSH keys, adding them to your GitHub account, and troubleshooting common issues.

1. Understanding SSH Keys

SSH keys are a pair of cryptographic keys used for secure authentication.

The private key is kept on your local machine, while the public key is shared with servers.

2. Generating SSH Keys

Step 1: Open your terminal.
Step 2: Enter the command to generate an SSH key:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your@email.com"

Step 3: Choose a secure passphrase when prompted.
Step 4: Your SSH keys are generated and saved in ~/.ssh/.

3. Adding SSH Key to GitHub Account

Step 1: Copy your SSH public key using the command:
cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Step 2: Log in to your GitHub account.
Step 3: Go to Settings > SSH and GPG keys.
Step 4: Click "New SSH key," paste your key, and give it a descriptive title.
Step 5: Save the new SSH key.

4. Setting Up Git Configurations

Step 1: Set your Git username:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"

Step 2: Set your Git email:
git config --global user.email "your@email.com"

5. Using SSH Agent

Step 1: Start the SSH agent:
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"

Step 2: Add your private key to the agent:
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

6. Test Connection: 

Verify that the new SSH key is working and the connection to GitHub is successful by running:
ssh -T git@github.com

7. Conclusion

By following this guide, you're equipped with the knowledge to generate, add, and manage SSH keys for secure GitHub interactions.
Utilize these skills to enhance your collaboration, protect your code, and contribute confidently.