Using the website file manager in the panel

 

Overview

DreamHost offers a file manager in the panel you can use to upload and manage your website files. The panel's file manager is a faster and more simple option than a fully functioning FTP client such as Filezilla and can manage the majority of your site's needs.

This article explains how to use this file manager and its various functions.

It is not possible to view your logs using the file manager in the panel.

You must use a fully functional FTP client such as Filezilla or Cyberduck to view your logs.

Logging into your server using the file manager

Your site must be Fully Hosted in order to log in to it.

  1. Navigate to the Manage Websites page.
  2. Click the Manage button to open the Domain Settings page, which allows you to adjust various settings for your site.
    • If in Grid view, click the Manage button at the bottom of the website box.
    • If in List view, click the Manage button at the far right of your domain name.
  3. The first section is titled Manage Your Site. To the right, click the Manage button.
    Your file manager opens in a new tab. All files and directories under your username display.

Navigating directories

Click on a directory name to enter it.

The page automatically loads the directory.

To navigate out of the directory, click the up arrow icon:

file manager change directory
This returns you to the directory just above the current directory.

Uploading files or folders

Uploads are limited to 1GB.

  1. Log into the file manager using the instructions above.
    file manager upload icon
  2. To upload files, click the upload icon on the bottom left.
  3. Select an option from the menu.
    A pop-up window appears allowing you to locate the file/folder to upload.

If you are uploading a website, you will need to point the site's DNS to DreamHost to make it live. See the following article for information on the process:

Downloading files and folders

Downloads are limited to 1GB.

This section explains how to download files or folders from the web server to your computer.

  1. Log into the file manager using the instructions above.
  2. In your web directory, right-click the file you wish to download and then click download.

    You can also click the file to highlight it, then click the download icon on the bottom toolbar.

    file manager download icon
  3. Click the Download button.
  • Depending on your browser, you are either prompted to confirm the download or it downloads automatically (no prompt).
  • Folders are downloaded as .zip files.

Fetching a file from a URL

This option allows you to download a file from an external location by using the file's URL.

  1. Log into the file manager using the instructions above.
    file manager fetch icon
  2. In the bottom toolbar, click the Fetch icon.
    A pop-up displays where you can enter the full URL of the file you wish to download.
  3. Click the OK button to download the file.

Editing files

  1. Log into the file manager using the instructions above.
  2. Right-click a file to open an editing options menu.
  3. Select Edit. The source editor opens where you can make adjustments to your file.
  4. After you finish editing the file, click the Save button on the bottom right to save your changes.
  5. When finished, click the Close button to go back to the previous listing of files.

Extracting zip files

The website file manager cannot extract zip files already uploaded to the server. If your zip file is already uploaded to your server, you will need to extract the file using SSH.

  1. Log into the file manager using the instructions above.
    file manager upload icon
  2. Click the upload icon on the bottom left.
  3. Select the Upload Zip option from the menu.A pop-up window appears allowing you to locate the file/folder to upload.
  4. Click the Upload and Unzip button when the confirmation box appears.

Creating a new file or folder

You can create files and folders within the file manager.

  1. In the bottom toolbar, click the Create icon.
    file manager create
  2. From the menu, select either New File or New Folder.
    A pop-up displays where you can name the new file or new folder:
    file manager create name
  3. Enter a name for the file or folder, then click the OK button to save it.

    If you are creating a file, the file editor opens where you can add content to the file. Make sure to Save and Close as shown above to save the file contents.

Changing permissions

File permissions control access to a file or folder. You can read more about permissions the following article:

  1. Right-click the file/folder.
  2. From the menu, select CHMOD.
    You can also click the file/folder to highlight it, then click the icon in the bottom toolbar:
    file manager chmod
    A pop-up window appears.
  3. In the pop-up, adjust the permissions as needed. You can also type in the number value for the permissions.
  4. Click the OK button to save your changes.

Deleting a file or folder

You cannot edit or delete files owned by root, such as the domain's log files.

  1. Right-click the file or folder.
  2. Select Delete.
    You can also click the item to highlight it, then click the trash can icon in the bottom toolbar:
    file manager delete icon

See also

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Article last updated PST.

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