You are right - that first clone has to be manually preceded by GIT_SSH_COMMAND="ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa_personal" - but after this you just configure the repo and forget about it.

I just like this workflow better since it is totally directory/remote agnostic (compared to the article).

Just use whatever suits you best :)

The same exact config you'd have to replicate for the OP's solution is what you'd have to replicate as well. It also means your config is semi-copied into every repo instead of being centrally managed. This is like the worst of all options, idgi.

I'm sorry, I don't want to be mean but this has got to be the worst way Ive seen someone try to solve this. I want to cry skimming it. Why would anyone do this and think it's simpler? Wew, gotta just leave this one alone.

You don't need to specify your key file like that if you've got your keys loaded into an SSH agent. Or even better, IMO: use 1Password or similar that can both store your keys securely _and_ can be used directly as an SSH agent. That way, your SSH keys never need to be stored on disk in the first place.