Install Keychain

dnf install keychain -y
# apt-get install keychain -y
# pkg install keychain -y

Generate a new ssh key if not exist

ssh-keygen -t ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 -C $USERNAME -f ~/.ssh/$USERNAME

Assign the pass phrase when prompted.

How to use Keychain

Update your $HOME/.bash_profile file or simular initialization file for zsh, fish, etc.

vi $HOME/.bash_profile

Append the following code:

alias sshkey_secured="keychain $USERNAME --nogui --quiet --timeout 60 ; source ~/.keychain/$HOSTNAME-sh"
source ~/.keychain/$HOSTNAME-sh

Run once in the same terminal to update environment:

source $HOME/.bash_profile

Start ssh agent with keychain:

sshkey_secured

Enter pass phrase when prompted. The ssh-agent’s key will be cleared automatically after 60 minutes.