SSH (Secure Shell) gives you secure command-line access to your account, useful for developer tools like Composer, WP-CLI, and Git. Where your plan supports it, you can enable SSH in cPanel. This guide explains how.
What SSH is for #
- Running command-line tools and scripts.
- Managing files and permissions quickly.
- Using tools like Git and Composer.
Setting up SSH keys #
- Log in to cPanel.
- In the Security section, open SSH Access.
- Click Manage SSH Keys.
- Import your existing public key, or generate a new key pair.
- Authorise the key so it can be used to connect.
Connecting #
Use an SSH client (Terminal on macOS/Linux, or PuTTY on Windows) with your username, the server hostname, and the SSH port. Key-based authentication is more secure than a password and is recommended.
Troubleshooting #
- Connection refused: confirm SSH is enabled and you are using the correct port.
- Permission denied: ensure your key is authorised and you use the right username.
- Option missing: SSH may depend on your plan; contact support.
Need help? #
If SSH will not connect, our support team can confirm the details over live chat.
