43

I recently setup openssh so I could use it with git.

In the process of setting it up (as per this article) I ran the commands:

$ eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
$ ssh-add ~/.ssh/<name of key>

Some time later, after I logged out and back in I tried to use git push I got an error. The solution to this error was running those same commands again.

Please tell me how I can

  • Keep the ssh-agent running so I don't have to start a new one
  • Remember the keys I've added so I don't have to add them everytime

Just to clarify, I use zsh so certain bash features won't work in my .zshrc.

timotree
  • 1,148

2 Answers2

46

What is ssh-agent for and how does it work?

The ssh-agent keeps your decrypted keys securely in memory and in your session. There is no reasonable and safe way to preserve the decrypted keys among reboots/re-logins.

OK, how can I automate it?

Automate ssh-agent startup

Add 

[ -z "$SSH_AUTH_SOCK" ] && eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"

to your ~/.bashrc or other startup script (~/.zshrc).

Automate adding the keys

The keys can be automatically added upon the first usage, when you add

AddKeysToAgent yes

to your ~/.ssh/config.

For more information on ~/.ssh/config see man ssh_config.

Jakuje
  • 10,827
11

Add this to ~/.bashrc

This means ssh-agent will be started automatically when you open another session no your terminal

if [ -z "$SSH_AUTH_SOCK" ] ; then
 eval `ssh-agent -s`
fi

if you need a key to be added to the agent also add this

if [ -z "$SSH_AUTH_SOCK" ] ; then
 eval `ssh-agent -s`
 ssh-add ~/.ssh/<your private ssh key>
fi
trm
  • 103
Savitoj Singh
  • 191