SSH key Problem

[ShanBatej]

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Hello I am new to using GitHub I had a teacher help me set up my ssh key for I can connect it to Eclipse, but I am on another device and accidentally deleted it when I was trying to remove a new devices SSH key. I know it says "Once you delete it, you cannot retrieve it." How ever, I wanted to know if there is any possible way to retrieve it, or will my eclipse break or will I be able to push/commit my changes on the device I wanted.

PT2: Also, can anyone give me a guide on how to add it again. I already did ssh keygen command on cmd, and I got 4 files and don't know which one to select if you can also explain how to do that. (.pub / .rsa each have 2 of these files, I believe)

Lastly, does anyone know a good GitHub video to learn how to use it.

Sorry if this is not how you make a post this is my first time I struggled to find how to make a post and I don't know if this is correct discussion type or check out the other discussion, also I'm super stressed, sorry.

[UnknownHawkins]

You’re totally okay, I promise 😊—this is a very normal GitHub beginner situation, and nothing is broken. Even though a deleted SSH key can’t be recovered, that’s completely fine because creating a new one fixes everything, and your Eclipse projects and GitHub repositories are safe. Deleting the key just tells GitHub to stop trusting that device until you add a new key, it doesn’t delete your code or mess up your work.

The only file you need is the one that ends in .pub, because that’s the public key GitHub needs; the file without .pub is your private key and should stay on your computer and never be shared. Just open the .pub file in a text editor, copy the entire line of text, paste it into GitHub under Settings → SSH and GPG keys → New SSH key, give it a clear name like the device you’re using, and save it. Once that’s done, Eclipse will connect again and you’ll be able to push and commit with no issues.

You didn’t do anything wrong, you’re not behind, and you’re definitely not the only person this has happened to—GitHub feels intimidating at first, but you’re already handling it correctly by asking for help, and you’re going to be just fine 👍

[ShanBatej]

Thank you, and so which .pub do I use since there is 2 but the text inside are strings lengths and you mean copy EVERYTHING right even with the stuff that I think I don't need, and do I have to create a new one, or can I try to find the old one, so I don't need to figure out how to add a new one on eclipse?

[ben-24-0]

You cannot recover the old key. It’s gone and that’s okay.

Now about the two .pub files you’re seeing. You likely created two different key types, usually something like:

id_rsa.pub

id_ed25519.pub

Both are valid, but you only need one.

If you’re not sure which to use, use id_ed25519.pub

copy the entire line exactly as it appears

now You do not need to re-set up everything from scratch if Eclipse is already pointing to the same private key.
When you generated the key pair, Eclipse uses the private key (the file without .pub). As long as that private key still exists on your computer and you add the matching .pub key to GitHub, Eclipse will work again automatically.

[ShanBatej]

Oh alright, thank you!

[ben-24-0]

all good , and i hope your issue is resolved

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[Gecko51]

The previous replies covered the main points well. To summarize in one place for anyone finding this thread:

The deleted key is gone for good, but that's fine. Your code and repositories are completely untouched. The key only controls authentication access from that device.

To re-add your SSH key to GitHub:

1. Open the .pub file (use id_ed25519.pub if you have two options — it's the more modern type)
2. Copy the entire contents
3. Go to GitHub > Settings > SSH and GPG keys > New SSH key
4. Paste it in, give it a name like "My Laptop", and save

For Eclipse specifically: EGit (Eclipse's Git plugin) uses your system SSH keys automatically on most setups. After adding your public key to GitHub, try doing a push from Eclipse again — it should reconnect without any additional configuration. If it asks which key to use, point it to the private key file (the one without .pub).

For learning resources: The official GitHub Skills site at https://skills.github.com is the best starting point, with interactive courses. GitHub also has a solid docs section at https://docs.github.com/en/get-started for the fundamentals.