Git is an essential tool for developers, providing powerful version control and collaboration capabilities. However, beginners often find it inconvenient to repeatedly enter their username and password when working with remote repositories over HTTPS. In this article, we’ll explore why SSH is the preferred method for connecting to Git repositories and how to set up SSH keys.
Issues with HTTPS
Although GitHub recommends using HTTPS for universal access to repositories through firewalls, this method has significant drawbacks. The main issue is the need to repeatedly enter login credentials when performing operations such as git pull, git clone, git push, or git fetch. While credential caching can temporarily resolve this issue, the stored information remains available only for a limited time, which can disrupt workflow.
Advantages of SSH
SSH not only eliminates the need for constant password entry but also provides a higher level of security and convenience:
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Speed: SSH allows all data exchange operations to be performed without repeatedly entering login details.
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Convenience: Once SSH keys are configured, you can work without authentication prompts for a long time.
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Security: If a key is compromised, you can simply replace it. By contrast, a compromised HTTPS credential requires changing your password across all linked resources.
Setting Up SSH Keys
Configuring SSH keys is straightforward and consists of a few simple steps:
Generate an SSH key:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "[email protected]"Replace [email protected] with your actual email address.
Start the SSH agent and add your key:
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsaAdd your public key to GitHub:
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Go to your GitHub account Settings.
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Select “SSH and GPG keys” and click “New SSH key”.
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Enter a descriptive title and paste the contents of your
.ssh/id_rsa.pubfile into the key field. - Click “Add SSH key”.
SSH is the optimal way to interact with Git repositories — offering speed, convenience, and security. Once configured, it makes working with Git significantly simpler and safer, making SSH the ideal choice for professional developers.
