ssh-configuration
ssh-configuration is an engineering AI skill with a core value of Configure SSH servers and clients securely. It
helps developers solve real-world problems in the engineering domain, boosting
efficiency, automating repetitive tasks, and optimizing workflows.
Configure SSH servers and clients securely. Manage keys, tunnels, and config files. Use when setting up secure remote access.
Quick Facts
mkdir -p ./skills/ssh-configuration && curl -sfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills/main/skills/ssh-configuration/SKILL.md -o ./skills/ssh-configuration/SKILL.md Run in terminal / PowerShell. Requires curl (Unix) or PowerShell 5+ (Windows).
Skill Content
# SSH Configuration
Secure SSH server and client configuration for production environments, including key management, hardened sshd settings, bastion host architecture, tunneling, and multiplexing.
When to Use
- Setting up secure remote access to Linux or Unix servers
- Hardening SSH daemon configuration to meet compliance requirements
- Configuring bastion / jump hosts for private network access
- Creating SSH tunnels for secure port forwarding
- Managing SSH keys for teams or automated deployments
- Troubleshooting connection, authentication, or performance issues
Prerequisites
- OpenSSH client installed locally (`ssh -V` to verify)
- OpenSSH server installed on target (`sshd`)
- Root or sudo access on the server for sshd_config changes
- Firewall rules allowing TCP port 22 (or custom SSH port)
Key Generation and Management
# Generate an Ed25519 key (recommended -- fast, secure, short)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "jane@example.com" -f ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
# Generate an RSA 4096-bit key (for legacy compatibility)
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "jane@example.com" -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa_legacy
# Generate a key with a custom comment and no passphrase (CI/CD use only)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "ci-deploy-key" -f ~/.ssh/ci_deploy -N ""
# Copy public key to a remote server
ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub user@server
# Manually append a public key (when ssh-copy-id is unavailable)
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub | ssh user@server "mkdir -p ~/.ssh && chmod 700 ~/.ssh && cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys && chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys"
# List fingerprints of keys on the agent
ssh-add -l
# Start the SSH agent and add a key
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
# Add a key with a lifetime (auto-removed after 8 hours)
ssh-add -t 28800 ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
# Remove all keys from the agent
ssh-add -D
# Convert an OpenSSH key to PEM format (for tools that need it)
ssh-keygen -p -m PEM -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa_legacy
# Show the public key fingerprint (SHA256)
ssh-keygen -lf ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
# Rotate a key: generate new, deploy, then revoke old
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -f ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_new -C "jane@example.com rotated $(date +%Y-%m)"
ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_new.pub user@server
# After verifying the new key works, remove the old public key from authorized_keys on the serverSSH Client Configuration (~/.ssh/config)
# Global defaults applied to all hosts
Host *
AddKeysToAgent yes
IdentitiesOnly yes
ServerAliveInterval 60
ServerAliveCountMax 3
TCPKeepAlive yes
Compression yes
# Production servers via bastion
Host bastion
HostName bastion.example.com
User ops
IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
Port 22
Host prod-web-*
User deploy
IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
ProxyJump bastion
Port 22
Host prod-web-1
HostName 10.0.1.10
Host prod-web-2
HostName 10.0.1.11
# Staging accessed directly
Host staging
HostName staging.example.com
User deploy
IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519_staging
# Database tunnel through bastion
Host db-tunnel
HostName 10.0.2.50
User dba
ProxyJump bastion
LocalForward 5432 localhost:5432
# GitHub deploy key
Host github-deploy
HostName github.com
User git
IdentityFile ~/.ssh/github_deploy_key
IdentitiesOnly yes
# Connection multiplexing for faster repeated connections
Host fast-*
ControlMaster auto
ControlPath ~/.ssh/sockets/%r@%h-%p
ControlPersist 600# Create the sockets directory for multiplexing
mkdir -p ~/.ssh/sockets
chmod 700 ~/.ssh/socketsHardened Server Configuration (/etc/ssh/sshd_config)
# /etc/ssh/sshd_config -- hardened configuration
# -----------------------------------------------
# Listen on a non-default port (obscurity, not security -- combine with firewall)
Port 22
# Protocol and key exchange
Protocol 2
KexAlgorithms curve25519-sha256,curve25519-sha256@libssh.org,diffie-hellman-group16-sha512
Ciphers chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com,aes256-gcm@openssh.com,aes128-gcm@openssh.co🎯 Best For
- Claude users
- AI users
💡 Use Cases
- Using ssh-configuration in daily workflow
- Automating repetitive engineering tasks
📖 How to Use This Skill
- 1
Install the Skill
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The SKILL.md file downloads to your local skills directory.
- 2
Load into Your AI Assistant
Open Claude and reference the skill. Paste the SKILL.md content or use the system prompt tab.
- 3
Apply ssh-configuration to Your Work
Provide context for your task — paste source material, describe your audience, or share existing work to guide the AI.
- 4
Review and Refine
Edit the AI output for accuracy, tone, and completeness. Add human insight where the AI lacks context.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install ssh-configuration?
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The skill downloads to ./skills/ssh-configuration/SKILL.md, ready to use.
Can I customize this skill for my team?
Absolutely. Edit the SKILL.md file to add team-specific instructions, examples, or workflows.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not reading the full skill
Skills contain important context and edge cases beyond the quick start.