February 01, 2016

Using multiple GitHub accounts with SSH keys

skill

Problem

I have two Github accounts: oanhnn (personal) and superman (for work). I want to use both accounts on same computer (without typing password everytime, when doing git push or pull).

Solution

Use ssh keys and define host aliases in ssh config file (each alias for an account).

How to?

  1. Generate ssh key pairs for accounts and add them to GitHub accounts.
  2. Edit/Create ssh config file (~/.ssh/config):

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    # Default github account: oanhnn
    Host github.com
       HostName github.com
       IdentityFile ~/.ssh/oanhnn_private_key
       IdentitiesOnly yes
          
    # Other github account: superman
    Host github-superman
       HostName github.com
       IdentityFile ~/.ssh/superman_private_key
       IdentitiesOnly yes
    
  3. Add ssh private keys to your agent:

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    $ ssh-add ~/.ssh/oanhnn_private_key
    $ ssh-add ~/.ssh/superman_private_key
    
  4. Test your connection

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    $ ssh -T git@github.com
    $ ssh -T git@github-superman
    

    With each command, you may see this kind of warning, type yes:

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    The authenticity of host 'github.com (192.30.252.1)' can't be established.
    RSA key fingerprint is xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:
    Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?
    

    If everything is OK, you will see these messages:

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    Hi oanhnn! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.
    
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    Hi superman! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.
    
  5. Now all are set, just clone your repositories

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    $ git clone git@github-superman:org2/project2.git /path/to/project2
    $ cd /path/to/project2
    $ git config user.email "superman@org2.com"
    $ git config user.name  "Super Man"
    

Done! Goodluck!

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