// Git Toolbox

SSH key setup

Push and pull without typing a password: create an SSH key and add it to your Git host, step by step.

System

Host

EmailOnly used as a label inside the key.

Two files are created: id_ed25519 (private, never share it) and id_ed25519.pub (public, the one you paste on the website).

1
Check for an existing key
If you see id_ed25519 and id_ed25519.pub, you already have a key: skip to step 3.
Safe
```
$ Get-ChildItem $HOME/.ssh
```
2
Generate a new key
Ed25519 is the modern, recommended type. Press Enter to keep the default file, and choose a passphrase: it protects the key if your computer is stolen. If a key already exists at this path, answer “n” to keep it.
Caution
```
$ ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "you@example.com"
```
3
Start the SSH agent (PowerShell as administrator)
The agent remembers your passphrase. These two lines only need to be run once, in an administrator PowerShell.
Caution
```
$ Get-Service ssh-agent | Set-Service -StartupType Automatic
$ Start-Service ssh-agent
```
4
Add the key to the agent
In a normal PowerShell.
Safe
```
$ ssh-add $HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519
```
5
Copy the PUBLIC key
Only the .pub file. The other one (without .pub) is your private key: never share it, never commit it.
Safe
```
$ Get-Content $HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub | Set-Clipboard
```
6
Add it to GitHub
Safe
Paste the key, give it a name you'll recognise (e.g. “Work laptop”), save.
Open GitHub SSH settings
7
Test the connection
The first time, confirm the server fingerprint with “yes”. You should get a greeting with your username.
Safe
```
$ ssh -T git@github.com
```
8
Switch an existing repository to SSH
Only for repositories cloned with an https:// URL. Replace OWNER/REPO.
Caution
```
$ git remote set-url origin git@github.com:OWNER/REPO.git
$ git remote -v
```