Efficient Workflow Guide

1. SSH Keys

SSH keys provide a secure connection between your local machine and GitHub without the need to enter your username and password every time.

Generating an SSH Key:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "[email protected]"

  • Press Enter to accept default file locations.

  • Enter a passphrase (optional, but recommended).

Adding the SSH Key to the ssh-agent:

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Adding the SSH Key to GitHub:

  • Display the key and copy it to your clipboard:

cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

  • Go to GitHub > Settings > SSH and GPG keys > New SSH key.

  • Paste your key and save.

2. Personal Access Tokens (PATs)

Tokens can be used instead of passwords when performing Git operations over HTTPS.

Generating a Personal Access Token:

  • Go to GitHub > Settings > Developer settings > Personal access tokens > Generate new token.

  • Select your desired scopes.

  • Save the token securely (once you navigate away, you cannot see it again).

Using PATs with Git: When prompted for a password during Git operations, use your PAT instead.

3. Cache Credentials

Avoid re-entering credentials in Git by using a credential helper to temporarily store them.

For macOS:

For Windows:

For Linux: First, install the credential helper:

Then, set Git to use the helper:

With these steps, you've optimized your GitHub setup for a smoother and more efficient workflow. Remember, security is paramount; always store tokens and keys safely.

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