> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.solids.group/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.solids.group/computing/ssh-public-keys.md).

# SSH Public Keys

Public keys let you use SSH without typing your server password every time.

## Generate a Key

On your local machine, run:

```bash
ssh-keygen
```

Press Enter to accept the default location. You may enter a passphrase or leave it blank.

This creates a `.ssh` directory in your home directory containing files similar to:

```
id_rsa
id_rsa.pub
```

The private key, `id_rsa`, must not be shared. The public key, `id_rsa.pub`, can be shared.

## Install the Public Key on a Server

Log in to the server, then create the `.ssh` directory and set its permissions:

```bash
mkdir .ssh
chmod 700 .ssh
cd .ssh
```

Create or open a file named `authorized_keys` and paste the contents of your public key into it.

Then set the file permissions:

```bash
chmod 600 authorized_keys
```

Log out and log back in using SSH. If you created the key with a passphrase, enter it when prompted. Otherwise, you should be logged in without typing your server password.


---

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