Automatically load password protected SSH key on login

schnappi · 07-28-2019, 09:51 PM

Is there a way to automatically load a password protected SSH key without running ssh-add and typing the password?

frankbell · 07-28-2019, 09:55 PM

I certainly hope not.

schnappi · 07-28-2019, 10:01 PM

Why?

Would rather use a single key and the password is only for use on devices that are not full disc encrypted.

Will just use multiple keys, so do not need a password for all keys.

Turbocapitalist · 07-28-2019, 10:05 PM

Yes, there is a way to automatically load a pass phrase protected SSH key without you yourself running ssh-add, but it depends in part on which desktop environment you have. However, you'll still have to provide the pass phrase at the beginning in order to unlock it. Which desktop enviornment do you have and on which distro, including version?

Please say more about what you are trying to do. Someting is off and there is almost certainly a better work flow to try.

schnappi · 07-29-2019, 12:26 AM

Loading password protected SSH keys automatically on login, without having to type the password, in Xfce and Gnome.

Turbocapitalist · 07-29-2019, 01:50 AM

Why? That's not how SSH keys with passphrases work.

Each key will need its passphrase stored in a key ring instead.

So look at gnome-keyring and seahorse. You will need a passphrase to unlock the key ring but then the keys within it will be unlocked by the key ring. They should be part of GNOME and easily added to XFCE4.

schnappi · 07-29-2019, 08:40 AM

Perfect. Hopefully the keyring password can be tied to login password.

Only purpose for SSH key passwords is when put keys on a machine not full disc encrypted. Prefer not to create multiple keys, some with passwords, some without.