Add multiple ssh keys for different host accounts

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Steps to add multiple ssh keys for different host accounts:

  1. Create .ssh folder under home directory if not exist, and navigate to .ssh folder

cd ~
mkdir .ssh
cd .ssh

2. To generate public private ssh key pair run the following command. It will ask for passphrase, press enter for no passphrase.

ssh-keygen -C “<comment like email>” -f “<file-name>”

Example:
ssh-keygen -C “abc@gmail.com” -f “id_rsa_github”

The above example will create 2 files “id_rsa_github” (private key) and “id_rsa_github.pub” (public key). Note that you can choose any file name for -f parameter.

3. To create a new public-private ssh key for other host, say bitbucket.org.

ssh-keygen -C “abc@gmail.com” -f “id_rsa_bitbucket”

The above command will create 2 files “id_rsa_bitbucket” (private key) and “id_rsa_bitbucket.pub” (public key)

4. Add public key to respective host (github.com or bitbucket.org)

  1. Copy the content of public key (*.pub file).
  2. Add the content of public key under the manage ssh keys in the setting of the respective host.
    1. Navigate to profile->Settings->SSH keys.
    2. New SSH key/ Add key.
    3. Provide title/label of your choice.
    4. Paste the content of public key (*.pub) in key.

5. Add the git configuration for the generated public-private key pairs.

  • Create a config file under ~/.ssh if do not exist.
    • vi config
  • Add config for above generated ssh keys for different hosts github.com and bitbucket.org

Host github.com
 HostName github.com
 PreferredAuthentications publickey
 IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_rsa_github

Host bitbucket.org
 HostName bitbucket.org
 PreferredAuthentications publickey
 IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_rsa_bitbucket

6. Clone your repo from the respective host at the desired folder location.

Example:
git clone <ssh git repo url>
git clone git@github.com:<repo-name>

7. Configure the user name and email in the repo.

Global Configuration (same for all repos and accounts)

git config –global user.name “abc”
git config –global user.email “abc@gmail.com”

Local Configuration (configuration specific to current git repo)

git config –local user.name “abc”
git config –local user.email “abc@gmail.com”

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