How to Use Deploy Keys on Github

Introduction:

Deploy keys in Github allow secure access to a single repository without needing to share personal access tokens. They are ideal for automated tasks or integration with third-party services. Here’s how you can use deploy keys effectively:

Step 1: Generate a new SSH key pair:

Before adding a deploy key to a repository, you need to generate a new SSH key pair on your local machine. You can do this using the ssh-keygen command.

Step 2: Add the public key to Github:

Next, you should add the public key generated in the previous step to your Github account. Go to the repository > Settings > Deploy keys and click on ‘Add deploy key’.

Step 3: Copy the SSH key:

Copy the SSH key from your terminal using pbcopy on macOS or clip on Windows.

Step 4: Configure the deploy key:

Back in your repository settings on Github, paste the copied SSH key into the ‘Key’ field, give it a title, and click ‘Add key’.

By following these steps, you can successfully use deploy keys on Github to securely access your repositories without compromising sensitive information. Deploy keys are a powerful tool for automation and maintaining security in your development workflow.