---
title: "Create and Manage SSH Keys | Hostman Docs"
description: "Learn how to generate and configure SSH keys with Hostman. Securely access and manage your servers using our instructions."
---

> For the complete documentation index for AI agents, see [llms.txt](https://hostman.com/llms.txt).

You can use SSH keys to securely connect to [cloud servers](https://hostman.com/cloud-server/). For your convenience, it is possible to save the SSH keys in the dashboard and later use them when creating new cloud servers.

## Create SSH Keys

You can create SSH keys on your local machine [following our guide](https://hostman.com/docs/cloud-servers/administration/configure-ssh-keys/). When the keys are created, copy the public key to the server. You can do it manually via SSH or using the dashboard, as described below.

## Add an SSH Key to a New Server

When creating a new server, in the **Authorization** section, click **Add new key**. Select one of the existing SSH keys or add a new one.

The SSH key will be automatically added to the server and the dashboard so you can reuse it later.

![81678b4a B999 4e2f A991 Dcbd0f7cc8fe](https://content.hostman.com/assets/054609f4-baac-4c65-80ba-39ddca984b9f.png?width=1440&height=862)

## Add an SSH Key to an Existing Server

If the server already exist, you can still add SSH keys to it via the Hostman dashboard. 

1.  Go to **Cloud Servers** and click on the server you need.
2.  In the **Access** tab, click **Change** next to **SSH keys**. 
    

![D1d9a561 A9bc 42bb 975e 9cd1978537af](https://content.hostman.com/assets/646190cf-a709-499b-839e-89b3eb6259b7.png?width=1529&height=868)

3.  Select one of the SSH keys already saved in the dashboard or add a new one.
    

The key will be added to the server automatically in a couple of minutes without rebooting.

## Add an SSH Key to Your Hostman Dashboard

You can also add SSH keys to the dashboard without linking them to any server yet.

1.  Go to **Cloud Servers** → **SSH Keys** and click **Add SSH** key.
    

![1e497316 A923 4e15 873a 9f6e23b2e89f](https://content.hostman.com/assets/00ff0ac8-9bbf-4cf9-9c1e-07f1b26d4985.png?width=1514&height=807)

2.  Paste the key and enter its name to be displayed in the dashboard.
    
3.  (Optional) Mark the key as default, if necessary. The default SSH key will be automatically added to new servers. 
    
4.  Click **Add**.
    

![726f9387 0fd2 4b50 A50e 806bd0ae30df](https://content.hostman.com/assets/f1223238-762b-43cf-8170-16e228029a5f.png?width=1352&height=867)

The key will be displayed in the list of SSH keys and will be available for selection when creating a new server and reinstalling the OS.

## Set a Default SSH Key

If you want to use a specific SSH key for all new servers, mark it as default. You can do it when creating a key in the in **Cloud Servers** → **SSH Keys** section:

![2d64e145 8951 4506 8f5f 6888cc0af425](https://content.hostman.com/assets/b4b410a9-33fc-40d7-a903-8048ffd09a63.png?width=1352&height=867)

Or when the key already exists. Go to **Cloud Servers** → **SSH Keys** and check the **Select this SSH key by default when creating a new server** box. 

![Hostman Laptop 2026 08 20 13 25](https://content.hostman.com/assets/c869947f-1f0a-4a0b-9b36-54f0b9f519f3.png?width=1581&height=869)

## Delete an SSH Key

To delete an SSH key:

1.  Go to the **Cloud Servers** → **SSH Keys** section.
2.  Click on the three dots and select **Delete SSH key**.

![Ef340ee0 5037 4ac6 9b7c 8eda8c3f586d](https://content.hostman.com/assets/94252a6c-bb7e-41a3-bc30-3b41eb5ddb36.png?width=1539&height=722)