GitHub SSH Guide: Upload and Download Files

This guide shows you how to:

• ✅ Set up SSH with GitHub
• ✍️ Set your Git name and email
• ⬆️ Upload (push) files to GitHub
• ⬇️ Download (clone) files from GitHub

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🛠️ 1. Set Up SSH (Do Once)

1.1 – Make a New SSH Key

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"

• Press Enter to save in the default place
• Press Enter again when asked for passphrase (or type one to protect your key)

1.2 – Start the SSH Agent

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"

1.3 – Add Your SSH Key to the Agent

ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

1.4 – Copy Your SSH Key

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

• Copy the full key (starts with ssh-ed25519)

1.5 – Add the Key to GitHub

• Go to GitHub SSH settings
• Click New SSH key
• Paste your key and save it

1.6 – Test If SSH Works

ssh -T [email protected]

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🧾 2. Set Git Name and Email (Do Once)

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

To check:

git config --global user.name
git config --global user.email

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⬆️ 3. Upload Files to GitHub Using SSH

3.1 – Set main as Default Branch (Do Once)

git config --global init.defaultBranch main

3.2 – Make a New GitHub Repo

• Go to https://github.com/new
• Give it a name, uncheck README, and create it

3.3 – Create Local Folder and Git Repo

mkdir my-repo
cd my-repo
git init

3.4 – Add a File and Save It

echo "Hello GitHub" > file.txt
git add file.txt
git commit -m "Initial commit"

3.5 – Connect to GitHub and Upload

git remote add origin [email protected]:your-username/my-repo.git
git branch -M main
git push -u origin main

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⬇️ 4. Download a GitHub Repo Using SSH

4.1 – Copy SSH Link from GitHub

• Click Code → SSH and copy it

4.2 – Clone It

git clone [email protected]:your-username/my-repo.git

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✅ Done! You’re all set to use Git and GitHub with SSH.