Step 1: Check for SSH keys

First, we need to check for existing ssh keys on your computer. Open up Git Bash and run:

cd ~/.ssh

ls

# Lists the files in your .ssh directory

Check the directory listing to see if you have a file named either id_rsa.pub or id_dsa.pub. If you don't have either of those files go to step 2. Otherwise, you already have an existing keypair, and you can skip to step 3.

Step 2: Generate a new SSH key

To generate a new SSH key, enter the code below. We want the default settings so when asked to enter a file in which to save the key, just press enter.

ssh-keygen -t rsa -C "your_email@example.com"

# Creates a new ssh key, using the provided email as a label

# Generating public/private rsa key pair.

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

ssh-add id_rsa

Now you need to enter a passphrase.

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

# Enter same passphrase again: [Type passphrase again]

Which should give you something like this:

# Your identification has been saved in /c/Users/you/.ssh/id_rsa.

# Your public key has been saved in /c/Users/you/.ssh/id_rsa.pub.

# The key fingerprint is:

# 01:0f:f4:3b:ca:85:d6:17:a1:7d:f0:68:9d:f0:a2:db your_email@example.com

Step 3: Add your SSH key to GitHub

clip < ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

# Copies the contents of the id_rsa.pub file to your clipboard

1. Go to your Account Settings
2. Click "SSH Keys" in the left sidebar
3. Click "Add SSH key"
4. Paste your key into the "Key" field
5. Click "Add key"
6. Confirm the action by entering your GitHub password

Step 4: Test everything out

To make sure everything is working you'll now SSH to GitHub. When you do this, you will be asked to authenticate this action using your password, which for this purpose is the passphrase you created earlier. Don't change the git@github.com part. That's supposed to be there.

ssh -T git@github.com

# Attempts to ssh to github

You may see this warning:

# The authenticity of host 'github.com (207.97.227.239)' can't be established.

# RSA key fingerprint is 16:27:ac:a5:76:28:2d:36:63:1b:56:4d:eb:df:a6:48.

# Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?

Don't worry, this is supposed to happen. Verify that the fingerprint matches the one here and type "yes".

# Hi username! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not

# provide shell access.

If that username is correct, you've successfully set up your SSH key. Don't worry about the shell access thing, you don't want that anyway.

If you see "access denied" please consider using HTTPS instead of SSH. If you need SSH start atthese instructions for diagnosing the issue.