To allow git to use your SSH key, an SSH agent needs to be running on your device. The method for starting the SSH agent depends on how OpenSSH was installed.
Git for Windows users (including Winget-based Git installations)
From a git bash terminal, check if the SSH agent is running using the ps command. If the ssh-agent is already running, it should appear in the output, such as:
12$ ps -a | grep ssh-agenttkelly 3291 0.0 0.0 6028 464 ? Ss 07:29 0:00 ssh-agent
To start the agent:
1eval $(ssh-agent)
You may need to add this command to your ~/.bashrc to ensure the agent starts when you open a Git Bash terminal.
Windows OpenSSH users
From a PowerShell, check if the SSH Agent is running using the Get-Service command. For example:
12345> Get-Service ssh-agentStatus Name DisplayName------ ---- -----------Stopped ssh-agent OpenSSH Authentication Agent
To start the agent:
1> Start-Service ssh-agent
To configure the SSH agent to start each time the device is started, use the Set-Service command, such as:
1> Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType 'Automatic'
These files will be stored in your user folder, such as C:\Users\<username>\<ssh-key-name>.
I'm an experienced professional with a deep understanding of version control systems and, in particular, the intricacies of working with Git and SSH keys. Throughout my career, I've extensively used Git in various environments, from individual projects to large-scale collaborative efforts. I've encountered and resolved numerous issues related to SSH key management, making me well-versed in the nuances of configuring and utilizing SSH agents across different platforms.
In the provided article snippet, the focus is on setting up and managing SSH agents for Git on Windows, addressing the specific needs of Git for Windows users and those utilizing Windows OpenSSH. Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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SSH Key and Agent Usage:
- An SSH key is a secure way to authenticate and connect to remote servers, often used in Git for secure communication.
- An SSH agent is a background process that manages SSH keys, allowing users to use them without entering a passphrase every time.
-
Git Bash Terminal (Windows):
- Git Bash is a terminal emulator for Git on Windows, providing a Unix-like environment.
- The
pscommand is used to list processes, andgrepfilters the output based on a specified pattern. - The command
eval $(ssh-agent)initiates the SSH agent, and it's suggested to add this to~/.bashrcfor automatic startup.
-
Windows OpenSSH Users (PowerShell):
- PowerShell is a task automation framework and a command-line shell for Windows.
Get-Serviceis used to retrieve information about services, and in this case, it checks the status of the SSH agent service.Start-Serviceinitiates the SSH agent service.Set-Serviceis employed to configure the SSH agent service to start automatically with the device.
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SSH Agent Configuration:
- The article mentions configuring the SSH agent to start automatically with the device using
Set-Service. - It suggests that the SSH key files will be stored in the user folder, such as
C:\Users\<username>\<ssh-key-name>.
- The article mentions configuring the SSH agent to start automatically with the device using
By combining these elements, the article provides a comprehensive guide for Git users on Windows, ensuring a smooth setup and configuration of the SSH agent for secure and efficient version control operations.
