diff --git a/content/github/authenticating-to-github/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/generating-a-new-ssh-key-and-adding-it-to-the-ssh-agent.md b/content/github/authenticating-to-github/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/generating-a-new-ssh-key-and-adding-it-to-the-ssh-agent.md
index ecb39fcb6a21..f8ed23038e3b 100644
--- a/content/github/authenticating-to-github/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/generating-a-new-ssh-key-and-adding-it-to-the-ssh-agent.md
+++ b/content/github/authenticating-to-github/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/generating-a-new-ssh-key-and-adding-it-to-the-ssh-agent.md
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ Before adding a new SSH key to the ssh-agent to manage your keys, you should hav
 
 {% mac %}
 
-1. {% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
+{% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
 
 2. If you're using macOS Sierra 10.12.2 or later, you will need to modify your `~/.ssh/config` file to automatically load keys into the ssh-agent and store passphrases in your keychain.
 
@@ -168,15 +168,7 @@ Before adding a new SSH key to the ssh-agent to manage your keys, you should hav
 
 {% linux %}
 
-1. {% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
-
-  In some Linux environments, you need root access to run the command:
-  
-  ```
-  $ sudo -s -H
-  $ eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
-  > Agent pid 59566
-  ```
+{% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
 
 2. Add your SSH private key to the ssh-agent. {% data reusables.ssh.add-ssh-key-to-ssh-agent %}
    {% data reusables.ssh.add-ssh-key-to-ssh-agent-commandline %}
diff --git a/content/github/authenticating-to-github/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/reviewing-your-ssh-keys.md b/content/github/authenticating-to-github/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/reviewing-your-ssh-keys.md
index 745630bfb0ad..1d81c74a4f74 100644
--- a/content/github/authenticating-to-github/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/reviewing-your-ssh-keys.md
+++ b/content/github/authenticating-to-github/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/reviewing-your-ssh-keys.md
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ You can delete unauthorized (or possibly compromised) SSH keys to ensure that an
 
 4. Open Terminal.
 
-5. {% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
+{% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
 
 6. Find and take a note of your public key fingerprint. {% if currentVersion ver_lt "enterprise-server@3.0" %}If you're using OpenSSH 6.7 or older:
   ```shell
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ You can delete unauthorized (or possibly compromised) SSH keys to ensure that an
 
 4. Open Terminal.
 
-5. {% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
+{% data reusables.command_line.start_ssh_agent %}
 
 6. Find and take a note of your public key fingerprint. {% if currentVersion ver_lt "enterprise-server@3.0" %}If you're using OpenSSH 6.7 or older:
   ```shell
diff --git a/data/reusables/command_line/start_ssh_agent.md b/data/reusables/command_line/start_ssh_agent.md
index 8b40a0e8e76f..e118fa0763ef 100644
--- a/data/reusables/command_line/start_ssh_agent.md
+++ b/data/reusables/command_line/start_ssh_agent.md
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
-Start the ssh-agent in the background.
-```shell
-$ eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
-> Agent pid 59566
-```
+1. Start the ssh-agent in the background. 
+
+    ```shell
+    $ eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
+    > Agent pid 59566
+    ```
+
+    Depending on your environment, you may need to use a different command. For example, you may need to use root access by running `sudo -s -H` before starting the ssh-agent, or you may need to use `exec ssh-agent bash` or `exec ssh-agent zsh` to run the ssh-agent.