Setting Up SSH for GitLab on Your PC

Prerequisites

• Git installed on your system
• A GitLab account
• Terminal or Command Prompt access

Step 1: Check for an Existing SSH Key

Before generating a new SSH key, check if you already have one:

ls ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

If the file exists, you can use it. If not, proceed to generate a new key.

Step 2: Generate a New SSH Key

If you don’t have an SSH key, generate one using the following command:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your-email@example.com"

• When prompted to "Enter a file in which to save the key," press Enter to use the default location (~/.ssh/id_rsa).
• Optionally, set a passphrase for added security.

Step 3: Add the SSH Key to the SSH Agent

Start the SSH agent and add your key:

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Step 4: Copy the SSH Key

Copy the generated SSH key to your clipboard:

cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

For Windows users:

clip < ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Step 5: Add the SSH Key to GitLab

1. Log in to GitLab.
2. Go to Preferences (Click on your profile picture > Edit Profile).
3. Navigate to SSH Keys.
4. Paste your SSH public key into the "Key" field.
5. Add a title (e.g., "My PC SSH Key").
6. Click Add key.

Step 6: Test the SSH Connection

Run the following command to test if the connection is successful:

ssh -T git@gitlab.com

If everything is set up correctly, you should see:

Welcome to GitLab, @your-username!

Step 7: Clone Repositories Using SSH

Now, you can clone repositories securely using SSH:

git clone git@gitlab.com:username/repository.git

You're all set! 🚀

Blog: Setting Up SSH for GitLab – A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

When working with GitLab, using SSH authentication ensures a secure and password-free experience while interacting with repositories. In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up SSH authentication for GitLab on your PC.

Why Use SSH for GitLab?

• Secure authentication
• No need to enter credentials repeatedly
• Faster and more reliable compared to HTTPS

Steps to Set Up SSH for GitLab

1. Check if an SSH Key Exists Run ls ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub to see if you already have an SSH key.
2. Generate a New SSH Key Use ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your-email@example.com" to create a new key.
3. Add the SSH Key to Your System's SSH Agent Use ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa to add your key for authentication.
4. Copy the SSH Key and Add it to GitLab
   • Copy using cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
   • Go to GitLab > Preferences > SSH Keys
   • Paste the key and save it.
5. Test the Connection Run ssh -T git@gitlab.com. If successful, you’ll see a welcome message.
6. Start Using SSH for Git Operations Clone repositories using git clone git@gitlab.com:username/repository.git.

Conclusion

Setting up SSH for GitLab makes working with repositories more efficient and secure. Follow these steps, and you'll never have to type your password for Git operations again!

Happy coding! 🚀