# SSH keys

In order to create and access instances on Mithril, you'll first need to create or add existing SSH keys. **SSH keys in Mithril are scoped to an individual project**. See [Access management](/account-and-billing/access-management.md) for additional information on how resources are scoped in Mithril.

{% hint style="warning" %}
While it is technically possible for users within a particular Project to share SSH keys, it is best practice to keep SSH keys unique to an individual user.
{% endhint %}

## Creating SSH keys in a project

After confirming that you are in the correct project, select **SSH keys** in the left nav.

Select **Create SSH key**, and choose if you would like Mithril to generate a new key for you or if you would like to add your own. If you would like to set a key to be by default added to every new instance, select the checkbox.

{% hint style="danger" %}
If you choose to generate a key, it will automatically download upon creation. Keep this somewhere safe! You won't be able to download it again, as Mithril never retains private keys.
{% endhint %}

## Removing SSH keys from a project

To remove an SSH key from a project, open the **•••** menu next to the key you want to remove and choose **Delete**.

## Setting required SSH keys

An administrator can set an SSH key (or multiple) to be required for all new instances in a project. This can be done when creating a new key, or to existing keys with the **•••** menu. For security purposes, all keys for an instance will be shown to the user:

* **Console:** When creating a new order, the required key(s) will be pre-selected.
* **API:** When submitting a new order, the required key(s) must be included in the launch specification. Required keys can be found in the `GET ssh-keys` endpoint.


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