Automatic authentication using SSH keys can be set up from a Mac OS / Linux computer easily. In this article we’ll show how to convert your SSH key to a SFTP format for use with your (S)FTP client.
The benefits for this is first that you don’t need to have your SFTP/SSH password saved and given out to every developer. People that need access to the server via SFTP can just generate a SSH key pair where you upload their public key.
Time needed: 5 minutes
Be aware, the SFTP format and SSH format is different. Step 2 is therefore necessary to make your SFTP client authenticate using keys.
- Create .sftp folder
First you have to log in to your Bolt either with SSH or SFTP.
Here you’ll have to make a folder in the site root directory named.sftp.
With SSH you can create that with this command:mkdir ~/.sftp
With a SFTP client you should be able to right click in the site root folder with the option to create directory - Generate SSH Key
Back at your local machine, run the following command to create a properly SFTP formatted SSH key:
ssh-keygen -e -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub.
Does your machine not come with a SSH key already, you’ll have to make it first. Run this command and enter through the prompts:ssh-keygen - Save and upload key
Save the output of this as the file name
authorized_keys, and upload it to the.sftp/folder on the server.
With SSH you can do this with this command:scp path/to/authorized_keys [email protected]:~/.sftp
With SFTP you should simply be able to drag and drop the file in the right place - Connect to server
After this, your (S)FTP client should automatically connect to the server using that key without needing your SFTP/SSH password
Should you have any questions, please contact our support chat at servebolt.com.
