diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/man.text b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/man.text
index 9fd683fd..2e4202a7 100644
--- a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/man.text
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/man.text
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ DESCRIPTION
 -----------
 Adds or removes ssh keys from a authorized_keys file.
 
-This type also manages the directory containing the authorized_keys
-file and sets strict ownership and permissions. You can disable this feature
-with the --noparent boolean parameter.
+This type uses the __ssh_dot_ssh type to the directory containing 
+the authorized_keys file.
+You can disable this feature with the --noparent boolean parameter.
 
 The existence, ownership and permissions of the authorized_keys file itself are
 also managed. This can be disabled with the --nofile boolean parameter. It is
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/manifest b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/manifest
index 1c9df208..5885ec77 100755
--- a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/manifest
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_authorized_keys/manifest
@@ -40,12 +40,8 @@ if [ ! -f "$__object/parameter/noparent" -o ! -f "$__object/parameter/nofile" ];
    fi
 
    if [ ! -f "$__object/parameter/noparent" ]; then
-      # Ensure that the directory in which the authorized_keys shall be exists and
-      # has the right permissions.
-      ssh_directory="${file%/*}"
-      __directory "$ssh_directory" --state present --parents \
-         --owner "$owner" --group "$group" --mode 0700
-      export require="__directory/$ssh_directory"
+      __ssh_dot_ssh "$owner"
+      export require="__ssh_dot_ssh/$owner"
    fi
    if [ ! -f "$__object/parameter/nofile" ]; then
       # Ensure that authorized_keys file exists and has the right permissions.
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/explorer/group b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/explorer/group
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..cdea6fe7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/explorer/group
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+#
+# 2014 Steven Armstrong (steven-cdist at armstrong.cc)
+#
+# This file is part of cdist.
+#
+# cdist is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# cdist is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with cdist. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+
+gid="$("$__type_explorer/passwd" | cut -d':' -f 4)"
+getent group "$gid" || true
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/explorer/passwd b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/explorer/passwd
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..3fbad06f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/explorer/passwd
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+#
+# 2012 Steven Armstrong (steven-cdist at armstrong.cc)
+# 2014 Nico Schottelius (nico-cdist at schottelius.org)
+#
+# This file is part of cdist.
+#
+# cdist is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# cdist is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with cdist. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+
+owner="$__object_id"
+
+getent passwd "$owner" || true
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/man.text b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/man.text
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2cd2001c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/man.text
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+cdist-type__ssh_dot_ssh(7)
+==========================
+Nico Schottelius <nico-cdist--@--schottelius.org>
+
+
+NAME
+----
+cdist-type__ssh_dot_ssh - Manage .ssh directory
+
+
+DESCRIPTION
+-----------
+Adds or removes .ssh directory to a user home.
+
+This type is being used by __ssh_authorized_keys.
+
+OPTIONAL PARAMETERS
+-------------------
+state::
+   if the directory should be 'present' or 'absent', defaults to 'present'.
+
+
+EXAMPLES
+--------
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Ensure root has ~/.ssh with the right permissions
+__ssh_dot_ssh root
+
+# Nico does not need ~/.ssh anymore
+__ssh_dot_ssh nico --state absent
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+SEE ALSO
+--------
+- cdist-type(7)
+- cdist-type__ssh_authorized_keys(7)
+
+
+COPYING
+-------
+Copyright \(C) 2014 Nico Schottelius. Free use of this software is
+granted under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3).
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/manifest b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/manifest
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..2145cf40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/manifest
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+#
+# 2012-2014 Steven Armstrong (steven-cdist at armstrong.cc)
+# 2014 Nico Schottelius (nico-cdist at schottelius.org)
+#
+# This file is part of cdist.
+#
+# cdist is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# cdist is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with cdist. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# Hacked in Kalamata, Greece
+#
+
+owner="$__object_id"
+state="$(cat "$__object/parameter/state")
+
+group="$(cut -d':' -f 1 "$__object/explorer/group")"
+if [ -z "$group" ]; then
+    echo "Failed to get owners group from explorer." >&2
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+home="$(cut -d':' -f 6 "$__object/explorer/passwd")"
+if [ -z "$home" ]; then
+   echo "Failed to get home directory from explorer." >&2
+   exit 1
+fi
+ssh_directory="${home}/.ssh"
+
+# Ensure that the directory in which the authorized_keys shall be exists and
+# has the right permissions.
+__directory "$ssh_directory" \
+    --state "$state" \
+    --owner "$owner" --group "$group" --mode 0700
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/parameter/default/state b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/parameter/default/state
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e7f6134f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/parameter/default/state
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+present
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/parameter/optional b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/parameter/optional
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ff72b5c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__ssh_dot_ssh/parameter/optional
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+state