How to use the aaPanel File Manager

aaPanel includes a full-featured browser-based file manager. Use it for quick file operations such as editing config files, uploading small files, checking directory contents, and reviewing logs. For bulk uploads, s, or large archives on an UnderHost VPS or dedicated server, SFTP or rsync is usually faster and more reliable.

Open the File Manager

1. Log in to aaPanel
2. Click Files in the left sidebar (or the file icon in the navigation)

The file manager opens showing the full server filesystem starting from /www/ or the root directory, depending on your permissions. Navigate using the left sidebar tree or by clicking folder names in the main panel.

Upload files

1. Navigate to the destination folder (e.g., /www/wwwroot/yourdomain.com/)
2. Click the Upload button in the toolbar
3. Select files from your computer using the file picker, or drag and drop them into the upload panel
4. Click Upload to transfer the files

For large batches of files (a full WordPress installation, hundreds of media files), use SFTP, rsync, or FTP instead-it is significantly faster than the browser upload. See FTP accounts in aaPanel. If this is a full to UnderHost, open a ticket and include the source panel type and login details requested by support.

Edit a file

1. Navigate to the file you want to edit
2. Right-click on it and select Edit, or click the file and then the edit button in the toolbar
3. A code editor opens-make your changes
4. Click Save

Create and extract archives

Create a ZIP archive (useful for downloading a site backup or moving files):

1. Select the files/folder you want to compress (use the checkboxes)
2. Click Compress in the toolbar
3. Choose the format (ZIP or TAR.GZ) and a filename
4. Click Confirm

Extract an archive you have uploaded:

1. Navigate to the archive file
2. Right-click and select Decompress
3. Choose the destination folder and confirm

File permissions

To change permissions: right-click the file or folder → Permissions → enter the numeric value → Confirm. You can apply permissions recursively to a folder and all its contents.

Website file locations

aaPanel stores website files at:

/www/wwwroot/yourdomain.com/

This is the document root for the site. Files placed here are served to web visitors. All your website files (WordPress files, HTML, images, scripts) belong in this directory.

Log files for each site are typically at:

/www/wwwlogs/yourdomain.com.error.log
/www/wwwlogs/yourdomain.com.log

When opening a support ticket for file or permission problems, include the domain, affected path, recent changes, and any relevant lines from the error log. Never paste passwords, private keys, or database credentials into public screenshots.

Related: aaPanel FTP | Create website in aaPanel | cPanel File Manager | DirectAdmin File Manager

Related articles