Adding SSH keys to your VPS

With an SSH key you log in to your VPS without typing a password. The private key stays on your computer; the server only receives the public key. You can add keys when you order a VPS or later from the server page.

1. Create a key on your computer#

On Linux, macOS and Windows 10 or 11 (PowerShell or Terminal), run:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "my-laptop"

Press Enter to accept the default location and choose a passphrase. The public key is the file id_ed25519.pub in the .ssh folder of your user. Show it with cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub (Windows PowerShell: type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub).

2. Save the key in your organization#

1. Sign in at beta-manager.thunderhosting.com and open your organization.
2. Go to Services, VPS A/C and open the SSH keys tab.
3. Enter a key name (for example laptop), paste the public key and click Add key.

When you order a new VPS, you can choose saved keys: they are installed for root from the start. An organization can save up to 50 keys.

3. Add a key to an existing VPS#

1. On the Servers tab, click Manage next to the VPS.
2. Open the Access tab. Under SSH keys on this server, choose a saved key or paste a new one.
3. Click Add or Add to server and confirm.

4. Log in#

ssh root@your-hostname

The exact command with your hostname is shown on the Access tab. If you have several keys, choose one with ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 root@your-hostname. More about the server page: Managing your VPS.

To remove a key, click the trash icon next to it under SSH keys on this server; the server restarts. The SSH keys of the order are kept when you reinstall the VPS.