This guide helps you get started with Cloudways Copilot in a simple and clear way.
You will learn how to access Cloudways Copilot, understand how it works, and use it to identify and resolve common server issues.
The article also explains where to find insights in your dashboard, how to apply fixes, and how credits and plans work.
Table of Contents:
What Is Cloudways Copilot?
Cloudways Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that helps you manage and maintain your servers and applications on Cloudways. It goes beyond basic monitoring by identifying issues, explaining their root cause, and guiding you with the right actions to resolve them.
It works like a built-in reliability assistant for your hosting environment, helping you keep your applications stable, reduce downtime, and handle issues faster without deep technical knowledge.
Who Should Use Cloudways Copilot?
Cloudways Copilot is designed for developers, agencies, and businesses running live (production) websites where uptime and performance are important. It is especially useful for managing mission critical servers that require quick issue detection and resolution.
Key Benefits
Faster issue resolution: Helps reduce the time to resolve issues by up to 70–80%
High accuracy insights: Provides reliable issue diagnosis with over 90% accuracy
Continuous monitoring: Tracks server health 24/7 without manual effort
Clear recommendations: Explains problems in simple terms and suggests next steps
Works with human support: Acts as a first step in troubleshooting, while Cloudways’ 24/7 expert support handles complex issues
How Cloudways Copilot Works
Cloudways Copilot works in a simple 3 step process to help you detect and resolve server issues quickly:
1. Incident Detection
Cloudways Copilot continuously monitors your server 24/7 across five key areas and detects issues as soon as they occur.
2. Root Cause Analysis (AI Insights)
When an issue is detected, Cloudways Copilot generates an AI Insight that includes an investigation summary and clear recommendations to help you understand what went wrong.
3. 1-Click Resolution (SmartFix)
For supported issues, Cloudways Copilot provides a SmartFix that you can review and apply with one click after your approval.
What Cloudways Copilot Monitors and Diagnoses
Cloudways Copilot continuously monitors your server across five key health areas to detect issues early and maintain performance:
Web Stack Health
Monitors core services such as Apache, NGINX, MySQL, PHP-FPM, and caching layers to ensure your application is running smoothly.
Host Health
Detects security and traffic related issues such as DoS attacks, bot activity, brute force attempts, and excessive crawling.
Disk Health
Tracks disk space usage, including thresholds, temporary files, and cache buildup that may affect performance.
Inode Health
Monitors file limits and identifies issues like inode exhaustion or fragmentation that can impact server operations.
Backup Health
Detects failures in both managed and custom backups to ensure your data is properly protected.
Application-level Errors
Detects 5xx errors caused by conflicts on your hosted WordPress and WooCommerce websites. Copilot investigates the root cause automatically, and delivers a resolution Insight.
Understanding AI Insights vs. SmartFix
Cloudways Copilot provides two core capabilities to help you identify and resolve server issues:
AI Insights (Diagnosis)
AI Insights are detailed diagnostic reports that explain what issue occurred, identify the root cause, and provide clear recommendations on how to fix it. They help you understand the problem before taking any action.
SmartFix (Resolution)
SmartFix is a 1-click remediation option for supported issues. It uses predefined, engineer tested playbooks to apply fixes safely and consistently.
Credits Usage
Each AI Insight uses 1 credit
Each SmartFix uses 1 credit
Authorization & Control
Before any SmartFix is applied, you are required to review and approve the action. Cloudways Copilot does not make changes automatically—you remain in full control at every step.
Pricing & Plans
Cloudways Copilot offers three pricing tiers based on your usage needs:
Starter Plan ($0/month)
5 AI Insights credits + 2 SmartFix credits
Promotional offer valid for 12 months from activation
Renews monthly
Growth Plan ($9.99/month)
12 AI credits per month
Renews monthly
Scale Plans (Starting from $19.99/month)
25 AI credits — $19.99/month
40 AI credits — $32/month
55 AI credits — $44/month
70 AI credits — $56/month
85 AI credits — $68/month
100 AI credits — $80/month
Note:
For complete details, refer to the Cloudways Copilot Pricing & Billing Knowledge Base article.
How to Get Started
Cloudways Copilot is available for Cloudways Flexible users only and is not supported on Autonomous plans. It is being rolled out in phases. Here’s how you can access it based on your account type:
For New Cloudways Customers
All new users who sign up with Cloudways and become paid customers on a Cloudways Flexible plan will have the free tier of Cloudways Copilot included by default. Once your account is set up, you can start using AI Insights and SmartFix directly from your dashboard, no additional setup is required.
For Existing Cloudways Customers
Cloudways Copilot is being gradually rolled out to existing users. If it is not yet enabled on your account and you want immediate access, contact Cloudways Support or your Customer Success representative to have it enabled on demand.
Tip:
Once Cloudways Copilot is enabled, log in to your Cloudways Platform and look for the CW Copilot section in your main dashboard to start using AI Insights and SmartFix.
How to Use Cloudways Copilot in Your Platform
Step #1 - Accessing the Cloudways Dashboard:
Log in to your Cloudways account.
On the main dashboard, locate the Cloudways Copilot section.
This section shows a quick overview of incidents detected on your servers and applications.
Each incident shows:
Type of issue (e.g., plugin failure, web stack down)
Affected server or app
Time it was detected
Step #2 - Viewing All Incidents:
Click the Cloudways Copilot icon in the top-right corner to open the notification side panel.
This panel shows the complete history of incidents.
Each entry clearly lists:
Incident type
Server or application name
Timestamp of detection
Step #3 - Handling Server-Level Incidents:
Click on a server-level incident to open its AI Insight.
You will see:
Investigation Summary: What the problem is and why it happened
Review SmartFix button (for automated fixes)
View Manual Steps (optional manual resolution)
Workflow:
Click Review SmartFix → Copilot displays the proposed actions.
After reviewing, click Apply SmartFix → Copilot automatically resolves the issue.
Step #4 - Handling App-Level Incidents:
Click an application-level incident to open:
Investigation Summary
Recommended Steps to resolve the issue
Important:
SmartFix is currently unavailable for app-level issues but is planned for a future release.
Step #5 - Accessing the Overview Page:
Click the Settings icon in the Copilot section.
Go to Overview:
See all server and application incidents in one central place.
Monitor your Copilot plan and credit usage for Insights and SmartFixes.
Step #6 - Configuring Copilot Settings:
In the Overview page, click Copilot Settings to manage monitoring preferences.
Tabs:
Servers: Enable/disable Copilot monitoring for each server individually.
Applications: Enable/disable monitoring for individual applications.
You can filter apps by type (WordPress, WooCommerce, PHP, Laravel, Magento).
General: Option to completely disable Copilot for your account.
Stops all AI Insights and SmartFix functionality.
Best Practices
Regularly check Investigation Summaries to monitor health of apps and servers.
Apply SmartFixes for supported issues after reviewing proposed changes.
For app-level issues, follow Recommended Steps until SmartFix support is added.
Tip:
Always review the proposed actions before applying a SmartFix to avoid unintended changes.
Providing Feedback on AI Insights and SmartFix
Your feedback plays an important role in improving the accuracy and effectiveness of Cloudways Copilot.
After reviewing an AI Insight, you can provide separate feedback for both the Investigation Summary and the Recommendations directly from your dashboard
If the insight or recommendation is not helpful, you can share additional details to help improve future results
You can also provide feedback after applying a SmartFix based on whether the issue was resolved successfully
In some cases, you may receive short follow-up requests to share your experience
This feedback helps Cloudways continuously improve AI Insights and SmartFix performance over time.
Security, Access Control & Data Handling
Cloudways Copilot is built with strong security and control measures to ensure safe and reliable operation:
Limited access: Operates on the principle of least privilege and does not have unrestricted root access
User authorization: No changes are made without your review and approval
Deterministic fixes: SmartFix uses predefined, engineer built playbooks (not AI-generated actions) to apply fixes safely
Data handling: Cloudways Copilot analyzes system logs, configurations, and technical signals to generate insights. This data may be processed using OpenAI language models as outlined in Cloudways terms and policies
Opt-out option: You can disable Cloudways Copilot at any time from your platform settings, including at the server level. Once disabled for a server, Copilot will stop monitoring that server and will no longer detect or generate AI Insights for critical issues.
For a detailed explanation of how Cloudways Copilot works, including its security and architecture, you can watch the Cloudways Copilot webinar video below:
Credits Policy
Cloudways Copilot uses a credit based system for AI Insights and SmartFix.
Credits reset monthly
Unused credits do not roll over
Credits are forfeited if Cloudways Copilot is disabled
What happens if you run out of credits?
The CloudwaysBot will continue to send alerts
AI Insights and SmartFix will not be available until credits are replenished
You can upgrade your plan to continue using these features
Note:
For more details, refer to the Credits section in the Cloudways Copilot Pricing & Billing Knowledge Base article.
What’s Coming Next (Roadmap)
Cloudways Copilot will continue to evolve with new capabilities, including:
Expanded server level coverage
Application level debugging
On-demand, user triggered investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cloudways Copilot have full access to my server?
No. Cloudways Copilot operates on the principle of least privilege and only has the access required to monitor your server and suggest fixes. It does not have unrestricted root access.
Will Cloudways Copilot make changes automatically?
No. Cloudways Copilot does not make any changes on its own. All SmartFix actions require your review and approval before they are applied.
Are SmartFix actions created by AI?
No. SmartFix actions are not generated by AI. They are predefined, engineer built playbooks that are tested and validated by Cloudways engineers.
Can I undo a SmartFix once it is applied?
No. SmartFix actions cannot be undone. You should carefully review the suggested fix before approving it.
What data does Cloudways Copilot use?
Cloudways Copilot analyzes server logs, configurations, and system level signals to detect issues and generate insights. This data may be processed using OpenAI language models as outlined in Cloudways terms and policies.
Is Cloudways Copilot replacing human support?
No. Cloudways Copilot helps resolve common and predictable issues, while Cloudways’ 24/7 expert support team handles complex or advanced cases.
Can I contact support if Cloudways Copilot cannot resolve my issue?
Yes. You can always contact Cloudways Support. Cloudways Copilot works alongside the support team to help speed up issue resolution.
What is the Cloudways Copilot Starter plan?
The Starter plan is a free tier that includes 5 AI Insights credits and 2 SmartFix credits per month. It is available for 12 months from the date Cloudways Copilot is enabled on your account.
How do AI Insights and SmartFix credits work?
Each AI Insight uses 1 credit, and each SmartFix also uses 1 credit. Credits reset every month and do not roll over.
What is App-Level Debugging?
App-level debugging helps identify and troubleshoot issues occurring inside your hosted application, such as WordPress or WooCommerce websites. It can detect problems like plugin conflicts, theme related errors, failed requests, and application generated 5xx errors to help you resolve issues faster.
What happens if I run out of credits?
Basic server monitoring will continue, but AI Insights and SmartFix will not be available until your credits are renewed or your plan is upgraded.
Who can see Cloudways Copilot insights in my team?
Team members can see insights based on the permissions (ACLs) assigned to them. They will only see data for the servers they have access to.
Is Cloudways Copilot available on all plans?
No. Cloudways Copilot is available only for Cloudways Flexible plans and is not supported on Autonomous plans.
How do I get access to Cloudways Copilot?
Cloudways Copilot is available for Cloudways Flexible plans. For all new paid customers, the free Starter plan is enabled by default. If you are an existing customer and do not see Cloudways Copilot in your account yet, you can contact Cloudways Support or your Customer Success representative to have it enabled for you.
Is Cloudways Copilot the same as the support chatbot?
No. Cloudways Copilot is not a support chatbot. It is an AI-powered assistant that monitors your server, identifies issues, and helps you resolve them with insights and SmartFix. The support chatbots are designed to answer questions and assist with support queries, while Cloudways Copilot focuses on detecting and fixing server related issues.
That’s it! We hope this article was helpful.
Need Help?
If you need assistance, feel free to:
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Or create a support ticket anytime.
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