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Sometimes you’ll need to ssh to your server without installing any 3rd party tools such as Putty or using your terminal inside Linux/macOS, so how can you do that? The integrated SSH Terminal inside your Cloudways panel lets you connect to your application without using any third-party client.
What is SSH?
Secure Shell provides strong authentication and encrypted data communications between two computers or servers connecting over an open network such as the internet. This means that any device in the middle is unable to decipher the communication because only your end device/server is able to decrypt the information exchange.
Tip
You can also run additional tools such as Composer, Git, WP-CLI for WordPress, and database queries using SSH.
How to Launch an SSH Terminal
Prerequisites
To connect to your server or application using SSH, you will need the following.
Password
We will help you locate this information on your Cloudways Platform in the next steps.
Step #1 — Accessing the Required Credentials
There are two types of credentials on the Cloudways Platform (Master credentials and Application credentials) that you can use to connect to your application. Master credentials have SSH access enabled by default, yet you need to allow access for SSH in order for application credentials to function. If you are using the team members’ functionality or you are a team member already, the website owner will need to allow SSH access for these to function. So, which credentials will you be using?
Using Master Credentials
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your email address and password.
From the top menu bar, open Servers.
Then, choose the server you wish to connect.
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New Interface
Under Server Management, you can find your username and password. Be sure to take note of it.
Tip
Click on a credential (e.g., password) to copy it to the clipboard.
Classic Interface
New Interface
Using Application Credentials
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your email address and password.
From the top menu bar, open Servers.
Then, choose the server where your desired application is deployed to view application credentials.
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New Interface
Next, click www.
Choose your desired application’s name.
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New Interface
Under Application Credentials, you can find your application username and password. Be sure to take note of it.
Tip
Click on a credential (e.g., password) to copy it to the clipboard.
If there are no credentials, then you can create application credentials.
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New Interface
Step #2 — Initiating Connection
Next, return to your target server page.
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Click Launch SSH Terminal. This will open a new tab in your web browser.
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New Interface
You may see a security certificate warning in your web browser, this is due to the self-signed SSL certificate hired to protect your SSH connection. Simply bypass the warning and Proceed.
Step #3 — Logging in to the Server
Here, you need to input your master or application username, which you previously noted.
Tip
The terminal screen will only work with arrow keys for navigation, not with a mouse.
Next, enter your password. Please note that no characters will appear as you type the password due to security reasons.
You are now connected to your server via SSH. Now, you can run commands such as ls to list and navigate your files and directories.
Important
If you are using your Master Credentials, you will need to browse to your target application folder. If you are using your Application Credentials, you will land directly in the respective application folder.
Please note that SSH is a potent tool, and advanced users use it. Executing wrong instructions may break your website and may delete critical files; therefore, we recommend using it with extra care and always take a backup of the application you are working on or take a whole server backup so you can always restore.
That’s it! We hope this article was helpful. If you need any help, then feel free to search your query on Cloudways Support Center or contact us via chat (Need a Hand > Send us a Message). Alternatively, you can also create a support ticket.