Using multiple github accounts with ssh keys

using-multiple-github-accounts-with-ssh-keys.md

Problem

I have two Github accounts: Pr1meSuspec7 (personal) and palmierimarco (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):

   # Default github account: Pr1meSuspec7
   Host github.com
      HostName github.com
      IdentityFile ~/.ssh/Pr1meSuspec7_private_key
      IdentitiesOnly yes
      
   # Other github account: palmierimarco
   Host github-palmierimarco
      HostName github.com
      IdentityFile ~/.ssh/palmierimarco_private_key
      IdentitiesOnly yes
   

   NOTE: If you use any account frequently, you should use the default hostname (github.com).

3. Add ssh private keys to your agent:

   $ ssh-add ~/.ssh/Pr1meSuspec7_private_key
   $ ssh-add ~/.ssh/palmierimarco_private_key

4. Test your connection

   $ ssh-keyscan github.com >> ~/.ssh/known_hosts
   $ ssh -T git@github.com
   $ ssh -T git@github-palmierimarco

   If everything is OK, you will see these messages:

   Hi Pr1meSuspec7! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.

   Hi palmierimarco! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.

5. Now all are set, you need remeber

   git@github-palmierimarco:palmierimarco/project.git => user is palmierimarco
   git@github.com:Pr1meSuspec7/project.git.     => user is Pr1meSuspec7
   

• If you need clone a repository, just do:

$ git clone git@github-palmierimarco:palmierimarco/project1.git /path/to/project1
$ cd /path/to/project1
$ git config user.email "palmierimarco@example.com"
$ git config user.name  "palmierimarco"

• If you already have the repo set up, after the ssh config instructions, you need change the URL of origin, just do:

$ cd /path/to/project2
$ git remote set-url origin git@github-palmierimarco:palmierimarco/project2.git
$ git config user.email "palmierimarco@example.com"
$ git config user.name  "palmierimarco"

• If you are creating a new repository on local:

$ cd /path/to/project3
$ git init
$ git remote add origin git@github-palmierimarco:palmierimarco/project3.git
$ git config user.email "palmierimarco@example.com"
$ git config user.name  "palmierimarco"
$ git add .
$ git commit -m "Initial commit"
$ git push -u origin master

Done!

Addon:

#!/bin/bash

# silent prompt
read -p 'GIT profile: ' profile

# switch
case $profile in
  palmierimarco)
    git config user.email "palmierimarco@example.com"
    git config user.name "palmierimarco" 
    git config user.signingKey "palmierimarco_gpg_public_key"
    ;;
  Pr1meSuspec7)
    git config user.email "Pr1meSuspec7@example.com"
    git config user.name "Pr1meSuspec7" 
    git config user.signingKey "Pr1meSuspec7_gpg_public_key"
    ;;
  # default case: raise error
  *)
    >&2 echo "ERR: Unknown profile: $profile"
    exit 1
esac