Managing files in CloudPanel-file manager and SFTP
Use CloudPanel's built-in file manager to browse and edit files, or connect via SFTP with FileZilla for bulk uploads and transfers. Covers both methods step by step.
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CloudPanel includes a browser-based file manager for quick file operations. For bulk uploads, file transfers, or working with large sites, SFTP (via FileZilla) is faster and more reliable.
Built-in file manager
- Log in to CloudPanel and go to Sites
- Click the site you want to manage
- Click File Manager (or the file manager icon)
The file manager opens showing the site's file directory. You can:
- Browse all directories for the site
- Upload individual files (click Upload)
- Create new folders or files
- Rename, copy, move, and delete files
- Edit text files in a basic code editor
- Change file permissions
Where website files live
CloudPanel stores each site's files in a dedicated path based on the system user:
/home/SYSTEM_USER/htdocs/yourdomain.com/This is the web root-files placed here are served by Nginx to visitors. The SYSTEM_USER is the username you set when creating the site (visible in the site's settings).
Files stored outside htdocs/ (e.g., in /home/SYSTEM_USER/ itself) are private and not web-accessible-useful for storing configuration files or scripts.
Edit files in the browser
To edit a file in the file manager: navigate to it, right-click (or click the edit icon), and the file opens in a basic editor. Make changes and save. Useful for quick edits to wp-config.php, robots.txt, or custom scripts.
Before editing configuration files like wp-config.php or Nginx vHost files, save a copy. A syntax error in a config file can take the site offline. The file manager has no undo history.
File permissions
Correct permissions are important on any web server:
| Type | Recommended permission |
|---|---|
| Directories | 755 |
| PHP / HTML files | 644 |
| wp-config.php | 640 or 600 |
To change permissions: right-click a file or folder in the file manager and select Permissions (or similar). Enter the numeric value and save.
SFTP is better for bulk work
The browser file manager is convenient for single-file edits, but SFTP is significantly faster for:
- Uploading an entire WordPress installation
- Downloading a site backup to your local computer
- Syncing multiple files between local and server
CloudPanel creates a system user per site specifically for SFTP access. See How to connect to CloudPanel via SFTP for the full guide.
Related: How to create a website in CloudPanel | How to connect to CloudPanel via SFTP | Linux file permissions explained for web hosting | Backups in CloudPanel-files and databases
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