diff --git a/vast.py b/vast.py
index bda6c8d0..bbf3b04b 100755
--- a/vast.py
+++ b/vast.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 import textwrap
 from pathlib import Path
 import warnings
+import platform
 
 ARGS = None
 TABCOMPLETE = False
@@ -1464,19 +1465,118 @@ def create__env_var(args):
     else:
         print(f"Failed to create environment variable: {result.get('msg', 'Unknown error')}")
 
+def get_ssh_key_paths():
+    if platform.system() == "Windows":
+        base = os.environ["USERPROFILE"]
+    else:
+        base = os.path.expanduser("~")
+    key_path = os.path.join(base, ".ssh", "id_rsa")
+    pub_key_path = key_path + ".pub"
+    return key_path, pub_key_path
+
+
+def ensure_ssh_key_exists(key_path, pub_key_path):
+    if os.path.exists(pub_key_path):
+        print("SSH key pair already exists, using the existing key.")
+        return True
+
+    print("Generating a new RSA SSH key pair...")
+    try:
+        subprocess.run(["ssh-keygen", "-t", "rsa", "-f", key_path, "-q", "-N", ""], check=True)
+        return True
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        return False
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
+        print("Error occurred while generating the SSH key. Please check your setup or generate manually.")
+        return False
+
+
+def install_openssh_client_linux():
+    try:
+        print("Attempting to install OpenSSH client on Linux...")
+        subprocess.run(["sudo", "apt-get", "update"], check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["sudo", "apt-get", "install", "-y", "openssh-client"], check=True)
+        return True
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
+        print("Failed to install openssh-client. Please install it manually.")
+        return False
+
+
+def add_key_to_ssh_agent(key_path):
+    try:
+        subprocess.run(["ssh-add", key_path], check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["ssh-add", "-l"], check=True)
+        return True
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
+        print("Unable to add SSH key to the agent. Make sure the ssh-agent is running.")
+        return False
+
+
+def read_public_key(pub_key_path):
+    try:
+        with open(pub_key_path, "r") as f:
+            return f.read().strip()
+    except OSError:
+        print(f"Unable to read the public key from {pub_key_path}.")
+        return None
+
+
+def generate_ssh_key_pair():
+    system = platform.system()
+    key_path, pub_key_path = get_ssh_key_paths()
+
+    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(key_path), exist_ok=True)
+
+    if system == "Windows":
+        if not ensure_ssh_key_exists(key_path, pub_key_path):
+            print("'ssh-keygen' not found. Please install the OpenSSH Client and ensure it's on your PATH.")
+            return None
+        return read_public_key(pub_key_path)
+
+    elif system in ["Linux", "Darwin"]:
+        if not ensure_ssh_key_exists(key_path, pub_key_path):
+            if system == "Linux":
+                if install_openssh_client_linux():
+                    if not ensure_ssh_key_exists(key_path, pub_key_path):
+                        return None
+                else:
+                    return None
+            else:
+                print("'ssh-keygen' not found. Please install it manually.")
+                return None
+
+        add_key_to_ssh_agent(key_path)
+        return read_public_key(pub_key_path)
+
+    else:
+        print("Unsupported platform. Only Linux, macOS, and Windows are supported.")
+        return None
+
 @parser.command(
-    argument("ssh_key", help="add the public key of your ssh key to your account (form the .pub file)", type=str),
+    argument("ssh_key", help="add the public key of your ssh key to your account (or use 'auto' to generate one automatically on Linux/MacOS)", type=str, default="auto"),
     usage="vastai create ssh-key ssh_key",
     help="Create a new ssh-key",
     epilog=deindent("""
-        Use this command to create a new ssh key for your account. 
-        All ssh keys are stored in your account and can be used to connect to instances they've been added to
-        All ssh keys should be added in rsa format
+        Use this command to create a new ssh key for your account.
+        All ssh keys are stored in your account and can be used to connect to instances they've been added to.
+        All ssh keys should be added in RSA format.
+        
+        Quickstart (for Linux/MacOS with 'auto'):
+         1. Generates an RSA key pair (if needed) using: ssh-keygen -t rsa
+         2. Loads the key into the SSH agent using: ssh-add; ssh-add -l
+         3. Reads your public key from ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub and uses it for the account.
     """)
 )
 def create__ssh_key(args):
+    if args.ssh_key == "auto":
+        public_key = generate_ssh_key_pair()
+        if public_key is None:
+            return
+    else:
+        public_key = args.ssh_key
+
     url = apiurl(args, "/ssh/")
-    r = http_post(args, url, headers=headers, json={"ssh_key": args.ssh_key})
+    r = http_post(args, url, headers=headers, json={"ssh_key": public_key})
     r.raise_for_status()
     print("ssh-key created {}".format(r.json()))