How to connect and authenticate to Gitlab & GitHub with ssh keys using the native bash terminal

Use these steps to set up a Secure Shell (SSH) key using the native Linux bash terminal, test the connection, clone a repository, and perform basic Git operations like pushing and pulling changes.

Step 1: Install package and generate SSH key

Run the following commands to install Git and generate an SSH key:

sudo apt install git
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@test.com"

Follow the prompts to save the key (typically to ~/.ssh/id_ed25519) and optionally add a passphrase.

Step 2: Start the SSH agent and add key to the agent

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

Step 3: Copy the public SSH key to GitLab

Run the following command to print your public key:

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Copy the full output, then add it to GitLab:

Go to your GitLab profile settings.
Navigate to SSH Keys.
Paste your SSH key into the Key field.
Add a descriptive title in the Title field.
Click Add key.

Step 4: Test the connection

ssh -T git@gitlab.com

A successful connection returns:

Welcome to GitLab, @your_username!

Step 5: Clone a repository, commit, push, and pull

Clone the repository and create a test file:

git clone git@gitlab.com:username/repo.git
cd repo
echo "Hello, GitLab!" > testfile.txt
git add testfile.txt
git commit -m "Add a test file"

Error → Fix: If Git prompts you to set up a global identity, run the following commands, then retry the commit:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@test.com"

Push changes

git push origin main

Pull changes

git pull origin main

Note: Replace main with the appropriate branch name if it differs.

Overview

How to connect and authenticate to Gitlab & GitHub with ssh keys using the native bash terminal

Step 1: Install package and generate SSH key

Step 2: Start the SSH agent and add key to the agent

Step 3: Copy the public SSH key to GitLab

Step 4: Test the connection

Step 5: Clone a repository, commit, push, and pull

Push changes

Pull changes

References

​Step 1: Install package and generate SSH key

​Step 2: Start the SSH agent and add key to the agent

​Step 3: Copy the public SSH key to GitLab

​Step 4: Test the connection

​Step 5: Clone a repository, commit, push, and pull

​Push changes

​Pull changes

​References

Step 1: Install package and generate SSH key

Step 2: Start the SSH agent and add key to the agent

Step 3: Copy the public SSH key to GitLab

Step 4: Test the connection

Step 5: Clone a repository, commit, push, and pull

Push changes

Pull changes

References