How to use the DirectAdmin File Manager

DirectAdmin includes a built-in file manager that lets you manage all your website files from the browser without needing FTP software. It supports uploading, editing, moving, copying, and archiving files.

Open File Manager

1. Log in to DirectAdmin
2. In the main menu, click Files → File Manager (or Your Account → File Manager depending on your DirectAdmin theme)

The left panel shows the directory tree for your account. The right panel shows the contents of the selected folder. Your public website files belong in domains/yourdomain.com/public_html/.

Navigate and upload files

Click any folder to open it. To upload files:

1. Navigate to the folder where you want to upload
2. Click the Upload button in the toolbar
3. Choose files from your computer using the file picker, or drag and drop them into the upload area
4. Click Upload to begin

For large sites, FTP or SFTP is faster than the browser-based file manager. See FTP accounts in DirectAdmin.

Edit a file

To edit a text-based file (PHP, HTML, CSS, .htaccess, wp-config.php):

1. Navigate to the file in the file manager
2. Click the file name or select it and click Edit (or right-click → Edit)
3. The built-in code editor opens-make your changes
4. Click Save

Set file permissions

Correct permissions are important for security and functionality:

To change permissions: select the file or folder, click Chmod (or right-click → Permissions), enter the numeric permission, and save.

Create and extract archives

To create a ZIP archive of a folder (useful for backups or moving files):

1. Select the folder or files you want to compress
2. Click Compress and choose ZIP or TAR.GZ format
3. Name the archive and confirm

To extract an archive you have uploaded:

1. Navigate to the archive file
2. Select it and click Extract
3. Choose the destination folder (or extract in place)

Where to upload your website

The web root (document root) for your primary domain is:

domains/yourdomain.com/public_html/

For addon domains added under your account:

domains/addondomain.com/public_html/

Files placed in these directories are publicly accessible via the web. Files placed outside public_html/ (such as in the domains/ parent or your home directory root) are not publicly accessible-useful for storing configuration files, private backups, or scripts.

Related: DirectAdmin FTP | DirectAdmin overview | cPanel File Manager

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