---
title: Oneliner to Install ssh-copy-id on Mac OS X
canonical: https://0110.be/posts/Oneliner_to_Install_ssh-copy-id_on_Mac_OS_X
markdown_url: https://0110.be/posts/Oneliner_to_Install_ssh-copy-id_on_Mac_OS_X.md
id: 314
published_at: '2010-12-25T00:00:00Z'
updated_at: '2013-12-05T18:19:15Z'
author: Joren
tags:
- name: 0110.be
  markdown_url: https://0110.be/tags/0110.be.md
- name: Code
  markdown_url: https://0110.be/tags/Code.md
- name: Mac OS X
  markdown_url: https://0110.be/tags/Mac%20OS%20X.md
---

# Oneliner to Install ssh-copy-id on Mac OS X

`ssh-copy-id` is a practical bash script, installed by default on Ubuntu. The script is used to distribute public keys. The following oneliner makes it available on Mac OS X:

\`\`\`ruby\
sudo bash \< \<( curl ---silent http://0110.be\[install-ssh-copy-id.bash\] )\
\`\`\`\
This oneliner does three things:

1.  It copies `ssh-copy-id` from this website to `/bin/ssh-copy-id`.

2.  It makes sure that `ssh-copy-id` is executable, using `chmod`.

3.  There is no three

The install procedure needs superuser rights because it writes in the `/bin` folder. Executing scripts from untrusted sources with superuser rights is actually really, really, extremely dangerous. But in this case it is rather innocent.

The `ssh-copy-id` script is the one provided with Ubuntu and Debian, I assume it is GPL'ed. I have not modified it for Mac OS X but it seems to behave as expected. I have only tested the install script and behavior on 10.6.5, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).


- [ssh-copy-id.txt](https://0110.be/files/attachments/314/ssh-copy-id.txt)

- [install-ssh-copy-id.bash](https://0110.be/files/attachments/314/install-ssh-copy-id.bash)

- [install-ssh-copy-id.bash](https://0110.be/files/attachments/314/install-ssh-copy-id.bash)