Configuring SSH for GitHub and Using FastGitHub to Accelerate Access

Why GitHub Is Slow in China

GitHub’s CDN domain is often DNS‑polluted, forcing requests to go to overseas servers, which results in very slow page loads and time‑outs when pushing or pulling code.

Problem Statement

The article addresses two main issues: (1) operating a remote GitHub repository via Git Bash (clone, pull, push, etc.) and (2) accessing the GitHub website.

Solution 1 – Configure SSH for GitHub

1. Check Existing SSH Keys

Open C:\Users\ username \.ssh and look for id_rsa and id_rsa.pub . If they exist you can skip key generation.

2. Generate a New Key Pair

Run the following command in a command‑prompt or Git Bash:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -C "[email protected]"

The prompts will ask for a file path (press Enter), an optional passphrase (recommended), and confirmation of the passphrase.

3. Add the Public Key to GitHub

Log in to GitHub → click your avatar → Settings .

Select SSH and GPG keys → New SSH key .

Give the key a title (e.g., your computer name) and paste the contents of id_rsa.pub into the key field.

Click Add SSH key and confirm with your GitHub password.

4. Test the Configuration

Copy the SSH clone URL of a repository, open Git Bash in a local folder, and run git clone [email protected]:username/repo.git . The first time you’ll be asked for the SSH passphrase; subsequent operations will be password‑less.

Solution 2 – Accelerate GitHub Web Access with FastGitHub

Download FastGitHub

Obtain the latest Windows release from the project’s GitHub Releases or request it by emailing [email protected] .

Run the Service

Extract the archive and double‑click FastGithub.UI.exe . The UI will appear; start the service to let FastGitHub resolve the fastest IPs for GitHub domains.

Important Notes

FastGitHub creates a local CA certificate to intercept HTTPS traffic. IDEs like IntelliJ may prompt to trust this certificate; you can either accept it or configure the IDE to automatically trust non‑trusted certificates.

Even without FastGitHub, the SSH configuration alone allows smooth Git operations, but FastGitHub helps keep the GitHub website usable when DNS‑pollution slows it down.