# Prepare your GitLab environment

This page is a quick-reference checklist for setting up a new machine to contribute to OSM via GitLab.

## 1. Create an SSH key

```bash
ssh-keygen
```

Accept the default path (`~/.ssh/id_rsa`). Add an optional passphrase.

## 2. Add your public key to GitLab

1. Go to [https://osm.etsi.org/gitlab/](https://osm.etsi.org/gitlab/) and sign in.
2. Navigate to **Edit Profile → SSH Keys**.
3. Paste the contents of `~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub` into the **Key** field.
4. Set a title and an expiry date (maximum one year), then click **Add key**.

## 3. Configure `~/.ssh/config`

```text
Host osm.etsi.org
  Hostname osm.etsi.org
  User git
  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_rsa
  PubkeyAcceptedAlgorithms +ssh-rsa
  HostkeyAlgorithms +ssh-rsa
```

Test the connection:

```bash
ssh -p 29419 osm.etsi.org
```

## 4. Configure Git

```bash
git config --global user.name <your_etsi_user>
git config --global user.email <email>
```

Verify:

```bash
git config -l
```

The username and email must match your GitLab profile.

## 5. Clone a project

```bash
git clone ssh://git@osm.etsi.org:29419/osm/<project>.git
```

You are now ready to contribute. See [Understanding the Workflow with OSM tools](01-workflow-osm-tools.md) for the full contribution workflow.