---
title: "Add an SSH key"
description: "Add a public SSH key to your TIR account by pasting it or uploading its file, so you can choose it when you create an instance or a training cluster."
content_type: "how-to"
product: "ssh-keys"
platform: "TIR"
url: "/tir/ssh-keys/how-to/add-an-ssh-key/"
topic: ["ssh-keys"]
relationships: {"requires":["/tir/ssh-keys/how-to/generate-an-ssh-key-pair-on-your-computer/"]}
---

# Add an SSH key

Add a public SSH key to TIR once, and then pick it whenever you create an instance or a training
cluster. Your keys belong to you, so one key is available in every project.

## Before you begin

You need a public key. If you need one,
[generate a key pair on your computer](/tir/ssh-keys/how-to/generate-an-ssh-key-pair-on-your-computer/)
or [create one in the browser](/tir/ssh-keys/how-to/create-an-ssh-key-in-the-browser/).

## Add the key

1. In TIR, open the account menu at the top right and select **SSH Keys**.
2. Open the **Add Key** menu and select **Add new key**. The **Add SSH Key** form opens.
3. In **Key name**, type a name that tells you which computer the key is for, such as
   `macbook-pro-2025` or `office-workstation`. A name can be up to 50 characters, and it must
   differ from the names of your other keys.
4. In **Public key**, paste the contents of your public key file, which
   `cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub` prints. Paste one key only.
5. Select **Add Key** at the bottom of the form. It is available once both fields are filled. **Cancel** takes you back to the list.

The key is now in your list.

### Upload the key file instead

Instead of pasting, you can select **Upload .pub file** and choose your public key file. If the
key ends with a one-word comment, that comment becomes the **Key name**. Both fields stay editable after an
upload, so you can change the name or the key. If the file has no comment, or a comment of more than one word,
**Key name** keeps what you typed before, so type a name if it is empty. **Add Key** is available once both
fields are filled.

## What a valid key looks like

A public key starts with `ssh-ed25519` or `ssh-rsa`, then the key itself, then an optional
comment. TIR also accepts ECDSA keys. Paste the public key only; the private key stays on your
computer.

TIR refuses a key when:

- the key name is already one of yours ("Label already exists."),
- the key is already in your list ("SSHKey already exists."),
- you pasted more than one key ("Please add one SSH key at a time."), or
- the text is not a valid public key.

For what to do about each message, see
[Troubleshooting SSH Key Management](/tir/ssh-keys/troubleshooting/ssh-keys/).

With the key in your list, you can
[choose it and connect](/tir/ssh-keys/how-to/connect-with-an-ssh-key/).