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Could you please explain why ssh-agent would only print the shell commands - rather than actually running those commands. That just does not seem like a logical thing for ssh-agent to do.

Seamus
– Seamus

2022-08-02 07:34:07 +00:00
Commented Aug 2, 2022 at 7:34
2

I'm not an expert but I think it has something to do with the ability of programs to affect the shell. I think setting environment (and shell) variables is something only the shell can do itself or by using export. Since ssh-agent can't set the variables for you, the next best thing is to show you how.

skube
– skube

2022-08-03 10:47:02 +00:00
Commented Aug 3, 2022 at 10:47
Just a small follow up on this, each process inherits its environment from it's parent, and can only add/change variables in its own environment not the parent. (we can use source as a way around this with scripts.)

ocodo
– ocodo

2024-05-27 11:21:08 +00:00
Commented May 27, 2024 at 11:21

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