---
description: "Generate an SSH key pair, add the public key to your Verda account, and manage or revoke keys so that only trusted machines can ever reach your instances."
revision_date: 11.08.2026
---

# Managing SSH Keys

## Creating an SSH Key

### Linux and macOS

On Linux or macOS, run the following in your terminal:

```bash
ssh-keygen -t ed25519
```

By default, the key will be stored in `$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519`, you can change the location if needed. You will be prompted for a passphrase next.

!!! info
    In general, it is a good idea to set a passphrase for your private key.


If you used the default key name it is now saved in `$HOME/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub`

To view your public key, type:

```bash
 cat .ssh/id_ed25519.pub
```

You can now add your public key to your project to be available when creating new instances.

Go to `Keys -> SSH Keys -> Create` and paste your key into the window that looks like this:

![](https://docs.verda.com/assets/create-ssh-key-add-to-project.png)

Next, you can add your key, deploy your server and your key will automatically be allowed on your instance!

### Windows

When setting up compute, you need to provide an SSH key to provide secure access to your server.

Here, you will learn how to create such a key using PuttyGen.

When installing Putty, you can choose to install PuttyGen as well, so let's fire it up:

![](https://docs.verda.com/assets/create-ssh-key-puttygen-launch.png)

We choose `Ed25519` as the type of key, and click 'Generate'. Move your cursor over the grey area, and your key will appear.

![](https://docs.verda.com/assets/create-ssh-key-puttygen-generate.png)

!!! info
    Don't forget to add a passphrase to your keys!


Copy the output in the `Public key` field on top and **save your private key somewhere safe.** You can use PuttyGen to re-generate your public key from your private key but not vice versa; hence, we only need to save the private key.

When creating your server, you can paste the output in the Key input field.

![](https://docs.verda.com/assets/create-ssh-key-add-to-project.png)

Next, you can add your key, deploy your server and your key will automatically be allowed on your instance!

***

## Add/remove SSH key to existing instance

Log into the instance.

Edit the file `/root/.ssh/authorized_keys` and add the new key in a new line, or remove an existing key.