ssh-copy-id

Install your public key in a remote machine's authorized_keys

Description

The ssh-copy-id command copies a local public key to the authorized_keys file on a remote host. It also ensures that the remote user's home directory, ~/.ssh, and ~/.ssh/authorized_keys have the correct permissions.

ssh-copy-id uses SSH to log into the remote server, typically via password authentication. Therefore, PasswordAuthentication should be enabled in the remote server's sshd_config: Set PasswordAuthentication to yes in /etc/ssh/sshd_config, then restart sshd.

Syntax

ssh-copy-id [-i [identity_file]] [user@]machine

Options

-i: Specify the identity file (public key).

Examples

1. Install the local public key to the remote host:

ssh-copy-id user@server
ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub user@server