Script to enable ssh-agent and add existing key files in Windows 10 / 11 for use with VSCode DevContainer.

enable-ssh-agent.ps1

# SSH-Helper
#
# This PowerShell script is a small helper to:
# 1) Enable the ssh-agent service in Windows and start it
# 2) Run ssh-add for all private key files in the home directory
#
# Important: This script assumes your keys to be saved *NIX style under "%USERPROFILE%/.ssh"!
#
# Author: Patrick Henninger <privat@skyraptor.eu>
# License: GPLv3


# Check admin privilege and pop UAC dialog to elevate+
if(!([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] 'Administrator')) {
 Start-Process -FilePath PowerShell.exe -Verb Runas -ArgumentList "-File `"$($MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path)`"  `"$($MyInvocation.MyCommand.UnboundArguments)`""
 Exit
}

# Enable ssh-agent on Windows (requires privileges)
echo "Enabling ssh-agent servce and start it..."
Set-Service -Name ssh-agent -StartupType Automatic
Set-Service -Name ssh-agent -Status Running

# Import all files in .ssh folder except files with extension, config and known_hosts
$paths = Get-ChildItem -Path "$($env:USERPROFILE)\.ssh\*" -Exclude *.*,config,known_hosts
foreach ($path in $paths) {
    echo "Adding $path to the ssh-agent... "
    ssh-add $path
}

# Pause the execution so the user can see the informational outputs
PAUSE