2. Setting up your SSH keys

First, verify that you have the latest version of SSH installed. As your regular user, open a PowerShell terminal and type ssh -V

Example output from ssh -V

Once that has been verified, execute the following command in Powershell.

ssh-keygen.exe -t ed25519-sk -O resident -O verify-required -O application=ssh:key9.dev

The -t flag specifies the type of key to be generated by OpenSSH. We intend to use ED25519 with the "Security Key" option, indicated by the -sk at the end. Additionally, the -O verify-required option mandates the input of a PIN before the SSH key can be utilized.

After execution, you should see something link the below. Select the "Security Key" option.

Where to save your ED25519 key.

You may encounter the following screen, which you should click on "OK".

The software is letting you know ssh-sk-helper.exe is about to be executed

Continue setup

At this point, you'll be ask to enter your Yubikey's PIN.

Enter your Yubikey PIN number

Touch your key to prove proximity

Screen letting you know the key is setup, but there is more!

After you click "okay," it may seem like the setup is finished, but it's not. You will be taken back to a Powershell. In Powershell, you will be asked to enter a "file to save your key" and a "passphrase." If you only have one key, it's best to just press "enter" for the file location. This is also the default location OpenSSH will look for the key.

When prompted for a "Passphrase", simply hit "enter". Our key will be signed with our Yubikey and there is no need for a "Passphrase".

In short, you can hit "enter" through all the prompts.

You should see something like the below.

OpenSSH prompts for key file location and "passphrases"