Generate a new SSH key pair

ssh-key-generation.md

Mac and Linux

• Open Terminal

• Check if you already have a SSH keypair generated. Do the following:

  $ ls -la ~/.ssh/id_rsa*
  

  If the files exist, you already have SSH installed. IMPORTANT: But if you wish to regenerate the SSH key pair, at least back up your old SSH keys.

  $ cp ~/.ssh/id_rsa ~/.ssh/id_rsa.old  # Make a copy of the old SSH private key
  $ cp ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub.old  # Make a copy of the old SSH public key
  

• Generate a 4096-bit key pair - yes, use the higher bit

  $ ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "me@myemail.com"
  # Creates a new ssh key, using the provided email as a label
  Generating public/private rsa key pair.
  

• Enter a file in which you want to save your keys. You can press enter and the default ~/.ssh/id_rsa will be used.

  Enter a file in which to save the key (/Users/you/.ssh/id_rsa): [Press enter]
  

• Enter a passphrase. Read Github working with SSH key passphrase articule on why you should use a passphrase and at the same time you don't have to enter the passphase everytime you use your SSH key.

  Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase): [Type a passphrase]
  Enter same passphrase again: [Type passphrase again]
  

• From here on your SSH key pair is generated, your SSH public key is ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub - the one with the pub extension. BE EXTRA CAREFUL when using your ~/.ssh/id_rsa file. This is your private key, guard it properly.

Windows

1. Install Git for Windows
2. Open Git Bash and repeat the above instructions