Tip - Managing Multiple Github Accounts with SSH Keys

Small world. Big idea!

Problem

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

Step 1: Generating SSH keys

Generating a new SSH key and adding it to the ssh-agent

π ~/opt/ ❯ mkdir -p ~/.ssh/me
π ~/opt/ ❯ ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]" -f ~/.ssh/me/id_ed25519

Step 2: Configuring SSH config file

Edit/Create ssh config file (~/.ssh/config)

# For work
Host github.com
   HostName github.com
   IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
   IdentitiesOnly yes

# For personal
Host github-me
   HostName github.com
   IdentityFile ~/.ssh/me/id_ed25519
   IdentitiesOnly yes

Step 3: Adding your SSH key to the ssh-agent

π ~/opt/ ❯ ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
π ~/opt/ ❯ ssh-add ~/.ssh/me/id_ed25519
π ~/opt/ ❯ ssh-add -l # Optional

Step 4: Testing the SSH connection

Guide readers on how to test the SSH connection to ensure it’s working correctly.

π ~/opt/ ❯ ssh -T [email protected]
Hi duydo! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.

π ~/opt/ ❯ ssh -T git@github-me
Hi duyhenryer! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.

Clone you repo and modify your Git config

π ~/opt/ ❯ git clone git@github-me:duyhenryer/testrepo.git
π ~/opt/ ❯ cd testrepo # develop and modify git config
π ~/opt/ ❯ git config user.name "duyhenryer"
π ~/opt/ ❯ git config user.email "[email protected]"

then use normal flow to push your code

π ~/opt/ ❯ git add .
π ~/opt/ ❯ git commit -m "your comments"
π ~/opt/ ❯ git push

or you can have global git config for work.

π ~/opt/ ❯ git config --global user.name "duydo" 
π ~/opt/ ❯ git config --global user.email "[email protected]"