> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.devolutions.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.devolutions.net/rdm/ribbon-menu-bar/tools/ssh-key-agent.md).

# SSH key agent

The SSH Key Agent is used to hold all your SSH Keys in memory, already decoded and ready for them to be used. It has the same use as Pageant (SSH Key Manager) has for Putty except that the SSH Key Agent is used with Remote Desktop Manager.

The SSH Key Agent is located under ***Tools*** in the ribbon of Remote Desktop Manager.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}
![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6075_2025_1.png)

{% hint style="info" %}
See [SSH Key Manager (Local)](https://docs.devolutions.net/rdm/commands/tools/ssh-key-manager-local/) to learn how to centralise the management of local SSH keys.
{% endhint %}

### Settings

1. When opening the ***SSH Key Agent*** , you will notice at the bottom left that the agent is not running. You will need to click on ***Start Agent***.

   <figure><img src="https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6071_2024_3.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Click on ***Add key*** and select the file to open your SSH key.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6072_2024_3.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. All your added SSH Key will appear in your ***SSH Key Agent***.
4. Select an SSH session and open its properties.
5. Go to the ***General*** tab, enter a ***Username*** and leave the ***Password*** field blank.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6070_2024_3.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
6. In the ***SSH key*** tab of your SSH Shell session, leave the option for the ***Private Key*** to ***No Private Key***.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6069_2024_3.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
7. In the ***Advanced*** tab of your SSH Shell session, activate the option ***Use SSH authentication agent***. The ***Use SSH authentication agent*** automatically takes the information of the SSH Key kept in your SSH Key Agent.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6074_2025_1.png)

#### SSH key credential management

When creating a new ***SSH key entry*** in Remote Desktop Manager, you have the option of loading them automatically in your ***SSH Key Agent***.

1. Select ***Add New Entry – Credential Management – SSH key***.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6067_2024_3.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Select **Generate new SSH key, Import SSH key** or **Link local SSH.**

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6073_2025_1.png)
3. The ***Add SSH Key*** window opens.
4. Go to the ***SSH key agent*** tab.
5. Activate the ***Automatically load to SSH key agent*** setting.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW6068_2024_3.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
6. Click ***Add*** to save and close the window.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="macOS" %}
![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMM6038_2025_1.png)

### Settings

1. When opening the ***SSH key agent*** , you will notice at the bottom left that the agent is not running. You will need to click on ***Start Agent***.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMM6039_2025_1.png)
2. Click on ***Add key*** and select the file to open your SSH key.
3. All your added SSH key will appear in your ***SSH key agent***.
4. Select an SSH session and open its properties.
5. Go to the ***General*** tab, enter a ***Username*** and leave the ***Password*** field blank.
6. In the ***SSH key*** tab of your SSH session, leave the option for the ***Private Key type*** to ***No private key***.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMM6040_2025_1.png)
7. In the ***Advanced*** tab of your SSH session, activate the option ***Use SSH authentication agent***. The ***Use SSH authentication agent*** automatically takes the information of the SSH key kept in your SSH key agent.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMM6041_2025_1.png)

#### SSH key credential management

When creating a new ***SSH key entry*** in Remote Desktop Manager macOS, you have the option of loading them automatically in your ***SSH key agent***.

1. Select ***Add New entry – Credential management – SSH key***.
2. The ***Add SSH key*** window opens.
3. Go to the ***SSH key agent*** tab.
4. Activate the ***Automatically load to SSH key agent*** setting.
5. Click ***Add*** to save and close the window.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}

#### See also

* [Devolutions Academy – Manage SSH key with SSH key agent in RDM](https://academy.devolutions.net/student/activity/2591723-manage-ssh-key-with-ssh-key-agent-in-rdm)


---

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