24.4 Using SFTP Access (Secure File Transfer)

Purpose:

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) provides direct access to your hosted WordPress site's file system. This is necessary for advanced troubleshooting, manually uploading themes or plugins not available in the repository, editing configuration files (like wp-config.php or .htaccess - use extreme caution!), or managing file permissions.

  • Obtaining Credentials: Navigate to Sites → WordPress → Select the Site → Look for an Advanced Settings, Server Details, or SFTP Access section within the site's management dashboard. Here you should find the necessary credentials:
    • Host / Server Address (e.g., an IP address or hostname)
    • Port (Standard SFTP port is usually 22)
    • Username
    • Password (You might need to generate or reveal the password here).
  • Connecting: Use an SFTP client application (like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or Transmit) installed on your computer.
    • Enter the Host, Username, Password, and Port (22).
    • Select the protocol as SFTP (not regular FTP).
    • Click Connect.
  • Navigating: Once connected, you can browse the file structure of your WordPress installation (typically within a directory like /public_html or /www). You can upload, download, rename, or delete files and folders.
  • CAUTION: Be extremely careful when modifying core WordPress files or configuration files via SFTP. Incorrect changes can easily break your website. Always have a recent backup before making significant changes via SFTP.