One of the best ways to avoid typing your passphrase (if you have indeed protected your private key with a password!) is to use SSH Keychain. This handy utility allows you to:

• store your passphrase in your Apple Keychain
• set session environment variables (e.g. setting HISTFILESIZE allows you to increase the amount of command line history bash keeps around)
• set up tunnels

After you download it:

• Copy it to Applications/Utilities
• Open System Preferences
• Select Accounts
• Select your account
• Select Login Items
• Add SSHKeychain to it by selecting the + (plus) button
• Check the Hide box if you don't want it to show up in the Dock

From SSH Keychain preferences, you can configure things like were icons appear, how to handle security, etc.

-- DarrellSchiebel - 27 Nov 2006