Codeberg and GitHub

I like using codeberg.org for git hosting.

This page explains how I use Codeberg and GitHub together.

1. Sign up at Codeberg and GitHub. I prefer to use the same username on both sites.

2. Create a repo on Codeberg and GitHub. I prefer to use the same repo name on both sites.

3. Decide on using HTTPS or SSH. I prefer to use SSH because it's more powerful for multiple keys.

Generate your SSH key

Generate a typical SSH key for Codeberg and another typical SSH key for GitHub.

I like to use the tool ssh-keygen-pro

ssh-keygen-pro

For site-specific user SSH keys, I like this naming convention:

codeberg-user-joelparkerhenderson

Example output files:

codeberg-user-joelparkerhenderson=7aaea5d5aad09bc5ffd34bfe2a99a303=ssh-ed25519-with-automation
codeberg-user-joelparkerhenderson=7aaea5d5aad09bc5ffd34bfe2a99a303=ssh-ed25519-with-automation.pub
codeberg-user-joelparkerhenderson=7aaea5d5aad09bc5ffd34bfe2a99a303=ssh-ed25519-with-passphrase
codeberg-user-joelparkerhenderson=7aaea5d5aad09bc5ffd34bfe2a99a303=ssh-ed25519-with-passphrase.pub

Put the SSH key where you want

I like to put the SSH key files in my existing SSH identity directory:

mv codeberg-user-* ~/.ssh/id.d

Add the SSH key to Codeberg

Add the SSH to your Codeberg account via the Codeberg web interface.

Heads up: Codeberg currently has a 50-character limit on the SSH key name.

So when I save the SSH key to Codeberg, then I shorten the key name to just the unique secure random id:

7aaea5d5aad09bc5ffd34bfe2a99a303

Repeat for GitHub

Do the same kind of process for GitHub: generate your SSH key, put it where you want, and add it to GitHub.

Save the SSH keys

Save the SSH keys anywhere reliable, such as to your preferred password manager.

• I like to use Bitwarden

Heads up: Bitwarden has a buggy UI for creating an SSH key, so here's a workaround.

• The UI doesn't work on the Bitwarded web page, so use the Bitwarden desktop, not the Bitwarden web page.

• Click "+" and choose SSH key. You see Bitwarden generate a random SSH key. Save this, even though it's not what you want.

• Then edit the random SSH key. You see a new icon for clipboard paste.

• Copy your SSH key to the clipboard (dangerous) and click the Bitwarden clipboard past.

Adjust SSH config

Edit ~/.ssh/config:

Host github.com
    HostName github.com
    User git
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/your-github-key
    IdentitiesOnly yes

Host codeberg.org
    HostName codeberg.org
    User git
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/your-codeberg-key
    IdentitiesOnly yes

Verify the SSH connections

ssh -T git@codeberg.org
ssh -T git@github.com

Prompt:

The authenticity of host 'codeberg.org (217.197.84.140)' can't be established.
ED25519 key fingerprint is: SHA256:mIlxA9k46MmM6qdJOdMnAQpzGxF4WIVVL+fj+wZbw0g
This key is not known by any other names.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

For each repo

Edit .git/config

Edit your local repo file .git/config.

There are various ways to make a repo push to multiple upstream sites.

I prefer the way that uses pushurl.

If you use HTTPS, then add the lines pushurl like this:

[remote "origin"]
    url = https://github.com/user/repo.git
    pushurl = https://github.com/user/repo.git
    pushurl = https://codeberg.org/user/repo.git
    fetch = +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/*

If you use SSH, then add the lines pushurl like this:

[remote "origin"]
    url = git@github.com:user/repo.git
    pushurl = git@codeberg.org:c/repo.git
    pushurl = git@github.com:user/repo.git
    fetch = +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/*

Verify

Run:

git push

You should see two pushes: one to Codeberg, one to GitHub.