After you've checked for existing SSH keys, you can generate a new SSH key to use for authentication.
Before generating a new SSH key, you should have checked for existing SSH keys.
  1. In the command line, paste the text below, substituting in your GitHub email address.
    ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"
# Creates a new ssh key, using the provided email as a label
Generating public/private rsa key pair.
  2. When you're prompted to "Enter a file in which to save the key," press Enter. This accepts the default file location.
    Enter a file in which to save the key (/Users/you/.ssh/id_rsa): [Press enter]
  3. At the prompt, type a secure passphrase. For more information, see "Working with SSH key passphrases".
    Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase): [Type a passphrase]
Enter same passphrase again: [Type passphrase again]
  4. In the command line, copy the alphanumeric key fingerprint you see:
    The key fingerprint is:
    nThbg6kXUpJWGl7E1IGOCspRomTxdCARLviKw6E5SY8= your_email@example.com
    If you're using OpenSSH 6.8 or newer, the key fingerprint is:
    nThbg6kXUpJWGl7E1IGOCspRomTxdCARLviKw6E5SY8= your_email@example.com
  5. Add the SSH key fingerprint you've generated to the ssh-agent and your GitHub account. For more information, see "Adding a new SSH key to the ssh-agent" and "Adding a new SSH key to your GitHub account".