# Create an SSH Key Pair

## Prerequisite

To create an SSH key pair on zenConsole, you need first to retrieve the generated public key on your local computer. See [**Retrieve Generated Public Key**](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/elastic-compute/overview/security/ssh-key-pair) for details.

## Procedures

1. Go to **SSH Key Pair** > **Create an SSH Key Pair**.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2Fb7AcIs2N4uXYUdl1Akon%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b326b79d-c1a6-4c77-af0c-c7247e53f9a4" alt="" width="558"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. Enter up to 5 public SSH keys into an SSH key pair. Pay attention to the format.\
   A public key file is usually named "id\_rsa.pub" in "/.ssh" folder and begins with "ssh-rsa". Be careful not to use your private key.
3. Label your key pair.
4. *<mark style="color:green;">(Optional)</mark>* Add a note if you need.
5. Click **Confirm**.
6. *<mark style="color:green;">(Optional)</mark>* If you don't need the key pair any more, Click **Delete** in **Actions** in the list page.

## Result

You can select **SSH Key Pair** login credential while creating an instance afterwards.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2FwvY6aZ4Z8rXWCRidDEB3%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=88ff5dee-ec9f-407a-a93a-5d656638be03" alt="" width="467"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

You can now access this instance using the SSH key pair without requiring a password.