Authentication with Other Git Hosts in GitKraken Desktop

Last updated: February 2026

GitKraken Desktop supports authentication with most repository hosting services (e.g., TFS, AWS CodeCommit, Google Cloud Source Repositories, and custom services) over HTTPS or SSH.

Quick Start

Authenticate GitKraken Desktop with a Git hosting service using either HTTPS or SSH.

To clone with HTTPS:

1. Copy the HTTPS URL from your hosting service (e.g., https://example.com/username/repo.git).
2. In GitKraken Desktop, go to File > Clone Repo.
3. Paste the URL and click Clone the repo.

To set up SSH and clone with SSH:

1. Go to Preferences > SSH.
2. Generate a new SSH key pair or browse to an existing one.
3. Copy the public key and add it to your hosting service’s SSH settings.
4. Copy the SSH URL from your hosting service.
5. Go to File > Clone, paste the SSH URL, and click Clone the repo.

To use a local SSH agent instead of managing keys manually, enable Use local SSH agent under Preferences > SSH. To reset stored HTTPS credentials, go to Preferences > General and click Forget All.

HTTPS Authentication

This is the default and most common method for interacting with remotes. It requires your Git username and password.

How to clone with HTTPS

1. Copy the HTTPS URL from your hosting service, which typically looks like:

   https://example.com/username/myrepository.git

2. In GitKraken Desktop, go to File > Clone Repo.

3. Paste the URL, click Clone the repo, and open it in GitKraken.

The remote tracking at origin is automatically set using this HTTPS format.

SSH Authentication

Before cloning via SSH, you must first set up your SSH keys in GitKraken Desktop.

Set up SSH keys

1. Navigate to Preferences > SSH.

2. You can browse to select an existing SSH key pair or generate a new one (recommended).
3. Copy the public key to your remote hosting service.

Clone over SSH

1. Copy the SSH URL from your hosting service.
2. In GitKraken Desktop, go to File Clone.

3. Paste the SSH URL, click Clone the repo, and open the repo.

Supported SSH formats

ssh://{user}@{host}/{repo}
{user}@{host}:{repo}

Where:

• {host} is the domain (e.g., example.com)
• {user} is the username (typically git)
• {repo} is the path to the repository

Custom SSH ports

Use this format:

ssh://{user}@{host}:{port}/{repo}

Use a Local SSH Agent

Using a local agent can simplify SSH management, especially across multiple profiles. From Preferences > SSH, check Use local SSH agent.

Tip: This allows automatic key usage if already loaded in your system’s agent.

Troubleshooting SSH

• Windows: Only Pageant is supported. Download from PuTTY’s site.
• Misconfiguration: Double-check your remote URL format and SSH settings.
• SSH config files: GitKraken Desktop does not support .ssh/config aliases. Load your key directly or use your OS’s agent.

Forget All Credentials

Reset stored usernames and passwords from Preferences > General:

Proxy Configuration

GitKraken Desktop supports proxies for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Windows

Your system will prompt for proxy credentials when needed.

macOS & Linux

GitKraken Desktop prompts for credentials directly.

On Linux, run with this flag if needed:

--proxy-server=10.200.0.1:8080

Google Cloud Source Repositories

Due to formatting, you may need to adjust SSH URLs:

Original:

ssh://[email protected]@source.developers.google.com:2021/p/test-project-12345/r/Test-Repo-1

Fixed:

ssh://example%[email protected]:2021/p/test-project-12345/r/Test-Repo-1