Command: ssh-keygen

Generate an SSH key pair.

ssh-keygen

Useful Options

• -f path: write the private key to path and the public key to path.pub.
• -C comment: add a comment to the public key.
• -l -f file: show a key fingerprint.

Without -f, Ed25519 keys default to ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 and ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub.

Common Failures

• Saving key failed: make sure the destination directory exists and is writable.
• Overwrite prompt: stop and inspect the existing key before answering.

Docs Pointers

• Run man ssh-keygen.
• Read OpenSSH ssh-keygen manual.
• Read SSH Keys for key safety and installation.