Manage Global SSH Keys

Global SSH Keys are SSH keys attached to your user account that will be automatically added to all new servers when you create them.

Automatic SSH Key Generation

Good news! When you register a new account, the system automatically generates a default ED25519 SSH key for you.

What happens during registration:

1. The system generates a secure ED25519 key pair
2. The key is saved as a global SSH key (named: FlashPanel - [email protected])
3. You receive an email with 3 attached files:
   • OpenSSH Private Key: for Linux, macOS, and Windows OpenSSH
   • PuTTY Private Key (.ppk): for PuTTY on Windows
   • Public Key (.pub): your public key

Important - Save Your Keys!

⚠️ The private keys are only sent once via email. Make sure to:

• Download all 3 attached files from the welcome email
• Store them securely in a safe location
• Use the appropriate key format for your operating system

The auto-generated key will be automatically added to all servers you create in the future.

Access the management page

Users access the SSH Keys Management page from the account menu or main navigation bar.

The page displays a list of all registered global SSH Keys, including:

• Name: memorable name for the SSH key
• Fingerprint: unique identifier of the key (displayed in pink)
• Date Created: when the key was added to the system

Add new SSH Key

Step 1: Open the create dialog

Click the "Add SSH Key" button in the upper right corner of the list.

A dialog appears with the title "Add SSH Key" and a note: "These SSH keys will automatically be added to every server you create".

Step 2: Generate key automatically or enter existing key

Users have two options:

Option 1: Generate key automatically

1. Click the "Generate SSH Key" button in the upper right corner of the dialog
2. The system will automatically generate a new SSH key pair and fill in the form
3. A yellow warning displays with the message: "This private key is only issued once, please download the backup"
4. Users must download the following files for safekeeping:
   • OpenSSH Key: private key format for OpenSSH
   • PuTTY Key: private key format for PuTTY (.ppk file)
   • Public Key: public key (.pub file)

Option 2: Enter existing key

Users manually fill in the following fields:

• Name: memorable name for the SSH key (e.g., "My Laptop", "Work Computer")
• Public key: paste the SSH public key content (format ssh-rsa AAAA...)

Step 3: Complete

Click the "Add SSH Key" button to save the key to the system.

The new key will appear in the list and automatically be added to all future servers.

Update SSH Key to existing servers

After adding a global SSH Key, users can sync this key to servers created previously.

Step 1: Open the server selection dialog

In the SSH Keys list, click the "Update to servers" button on the row of the key you want to update.

Step 2: Select servers

The "Update to servers" dialog appears with a list of all existing servers.

Users can:

• Read the title: "Select the server you want to add the xxx key to"
• Check the checkbox for each server that needs the key
• Select multiple servers at once

Servers that already have this key will be pre-checked.

Step 3: Confirm update

Click the "Submit" button to start adding the key to the selected servers.

During processing, the interface will display the processing status. Users cannot interact further until completion.

Delete SSH Key

Users have two ways to delete an SSH Key:

Method 1: Only delete key from global list

1. Click the vertical three-dot icon (⋮) at the end of the key row to delete
2. Select "Delete SSH Key" from the dropdown menu
3. A confirmation dialog appears with the title "Delete SSH Key"
4. Confirm deletion

The key will be deleted from the global list but will remain on servers that were previously added.

Method 2: Delete key from everywhere

1. Click the vertical three-dot icon (⋮) at the end of the key row to delete
2. Select "Delete and Remove From Servers" from the dropdown menu
3. A confirmation dialog appears with the title "Delete Key From Everywhere"
4. Confirm deletion

The key will be deleted from the global list and automatically removed from all existing servers.

Processing status

When an SSH Key is being processed (added to or removed from servers), the action buttons for that key will be disabled until completion.

Users can track progress through the status displayed on the interface.

Important notes

• Automatic key generation: A default SSH key is automatically created when you register. Check your email for the private keys
• Global SSH Keys only automatically add to NEW servers when creating servers. Existing servers need to be updated manually using the "Update to servers" feature
• Private keys are only displayed/sent once when automatically generated. Users must download and preserve them immediately
• Email attachments: Private keys are sent as file attachments (not in email body) for security and convenience
• File naming: Keys are named in format [email protected] (clean, no special characters)
• Deleting a key from the global list does not automatically delete it from servers unless "Delete and Remove From Servers" is selected
• To learn more about creating SSH Keys, see SSH Keys Guide