using ssh keys with screen

It always annoyed me I couldn’t use my ssh key in a screen session. Every now and again I would try and work it out with google and some trial and error. Eventually with the help of a couple of good bits off the net I worked out what I thought to be the easiest way to achieve it consistently.

Firstly the ssh config bits:

Add the following to your ~/.ssh/config file, creating it if you don’t already have one:

host *
  ControlMaster auto
  ControlPath ~/.ssh/master-%r@%h:p

And create the ~/.ssh/rc file:

#!/bin/bash
if test "$SSH_AUTH_SOCK" ; then
    ln -sfv $SSH_AUTH_SOCK ~/.ssh/ssh_auth_sock
fi

And make sure they have the correct permissions for ssh:

chmod 600 ~/.ssh/config ~/.ssh/rc

Finally add the following to your ~/.screenrc file:

setenv SSH_AUTH_SOCK $HOME/.ssh/ssh_auth_sock

I’m not sure it’s the best and most effective way but it’s nice and simple and to date it’s been working well for me, I’ve not had issues with it. Any suggestions for improvement feel free to comment.