Frequently Asked Questions

What are SSH Keys?

SSH keys offer you an alternative to normal system password authentication. You can use SSH Keys to log in to lots of machines with your key passphrase, without even knowing your system passwords.

I advise you to fiddle around with ssh keys before using SSHKeychain.

Where can I find a good SSH with Keys HOWTO?

I have mirrored Dave Aaldering's SSH with Keys HOWTO.

How do I install SSHKeychain?

See INSTALL.

How can I add my passphrases to the Apple keychain?

When you get asked for your passphrase, check the "Add passphrase to Apple Keychain" box.

How can I make SSHKeychain load and unload my keys automatically?

You can use various events like client connections, keychain events, screensavers, etc. Check out the Security tab in the preferences for all the options.

What does 'SSH tools path' mean?

'SSH tools path' is the directory where all the ssh commandline utilities reside. Generally, this is /usr/bin.

What does 'On client connection' mean?

This is the behaviour SSHKeychain will show when you launch ssh. You can either have it load your keys automatically, have it ask you what to do, or do nothing.

What does 'On Keychain events' mean?

This is the behaviour SSHKeychain will show when the Apple keychain is unlocked or locked. It can load keys automatically when the Apple keychain is unlocked, and unload them when it's locked.

These options are especially useful when you have your passphrases stored in the Apple keychain.

Will there be a real MenuExtra??

Some users want to have the statusbar icon available as a real MenuExtra?. Since the NSMenuExtra API is private, and MenuExtra?'s introduce some technical problems, it can't be fitted in the current design of SSHKeychain. I'm planning on creating a separate SSHKeychain.menu that holds the same options, but only works as a MenuExtra?.