# AN-2026-0546: GitHub SSH "Permission denied (publickey)": the server rejected the SSH key (wrong user, no key loaded, or key not on the account)

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- id: AN-2026-0546 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0546/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/troubleshooting-ssh/error-permission-denied-publickey>
- services: github, git
- severity: medium
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. GitHub Docs: a Permission denied (publickey) error means the server rejected the connection; the page lists not using sudo with Git, connecting to the right server (ssh -vT git@github.com on port 22), always connecting as the git user, having a key in use, and the public key being attached to the account.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. Connecting with your GitHub username instead of the git user fails with this error; remote URLs must use git@github.com.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Test with `ssh -vT git@github.com`; use the git user in the remote URL; load a key (`ssh-add -l`), and add its public key to the GitHub account (or switch the remote to HTTPS with a token). In agents/CI, make sure the key is actually present in that environment.
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `Permission denied (publickey)`

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0546/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-29 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28