# WindowMakerGraphical ssh-askpass HOWTO

# Initial version       Aki Sat Jul 10 18:40:18 EDT 2004

OpenSSH has a nice feature to simplify entering your passphrase using a graphical dialog box. The dialog box comes up as soon as the X server starts. Here's how to configure it.

1. Download and install a graphical ssh-askpass program that suits you. There are many out there. I use gtk2-ssh-askpass with good results.
2. In ~/.profile, set SSH_ASKPASS to the full path of your just installed graphical ssh-askpass program:

   export SSH_ASKPASS=/usr/local/bin/gtk2-ssh-askpass
   

3. Edit your ~/.xinitrc as follows:

   # Start the window manager:
   #exec /usr/bin/wmaker $NOCPP
   
   eval `ssh-agent`
   cat /dev/null | ssh-add
   exec /usr/bin/wmaker $NOCPP
   

4. That's it. Now, after you type "startx", you should see the graphical dialog asking for a passphrase. Once it is entered, the window manager will start as usual.