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SSH Keys

An SSH Key is a secure method of logging into your virtual machines without using a password. It uses a "Key Pair" system to provide strong, cryptographically secure access.

What is an SSH Key?

An SSH key uses a pair of keys: a Private Key (which you keep secret on your computer) and a Public Key (which the platform stores). You can either register a public key you already have, or let the platform generate the key pair for you — in which case the private key is shown only once at creation, so save it then. When you create a virtual machine, the platform injects your Public Key into the VM's security settings, and you use your Private Key to log in securely.

Key Benefits

  • Stronger Security: Unlike passwords, SSH keys are nearly impossible to "brute-force" or guess.
  • Convenience: Reuse the same SSH key across the virtual machines you create within the same project and infrastructure. SSH keys are scoped to a project and an infrastructure, so you register (or generate) a key in each project/infrastructure where you need it.
  • Automation: SSH keys are essential for automating tasks on your VMs using tools like Ansible, Terraform, or simple scripts.

Adding an SSH Key

The create form gives you two options, controlled by the Public Key field:

  • Register your own: paste your existing public key (for example an ssh-ed25519 or ssh-rsa key).
  • Generate a pair: leave the Public Key field empty and the platform generates a key pair for you.

The private key is shown only once

When the platform generates a key pair, the private key is displayed once at creation. Copy and save it then — it cannot be retrieved later.

You can also create a key on the fly while creating a VM, using the quick-create (+) button next to the SSH key selector.

Keys are immutable

SSH keys cannot be edited after creation. The list shows each key's name, project, infrastructure, origin (created or imported) and creation date.

Importing from your cloud

Importing an existing key is available for OpenStack infrastructures today: you reference an existing keypair by its keypair name. Deleting an imported key only detaches it from the platform — the keypair in your cloud is kept.

Interactions

SSH keys are primarily used during the initial setup of your workloads:

  • Virtual Machines: You select an SSH key during the creation of a VM. This allows you to gain "Root" or "Admin" access immediately after the VM boots up for the first time.
  • Infrastructure: You can import existing SSH keys from your cloud infrastructure or create new ones directly within the platform.