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How to Launch an SSH Terminal from the Cloudways Platform
How to Launch an SSH Terminal from the Cloudways Platform

This KB article explains how to launch an SSH terminal from the Cloudways platform without using any third-party client.

Usama Zafar avatar
Written by Usama Zafar
Updated over 7 months ago

Table of Contents


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.

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.

  1. From the top menu bar, open Servers.

  2. Then, choose the server you wish to connect.

    Classic Interface

    New Interface

  3. 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.

  1. From the top menu bar, open Servers.

  2. Then, choose the server where your desired application is deployed to view application credentials.

    Classic Interface

    New Interface

  3. Next, click www.

  4. Choose your desired application’s name.

    Classic Interface

    New Interface

  5. 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.

    Classic Interface

    New Interface

Step #2 — Initiating Connection

  1. Next, return to your target server page.

    Classic Interface

    New Interface

  2. Click Launch SSH Terminal. This will open a new tab in your web browser.

    Classic Interface

    New Interface

  3. 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

  1. 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.

  2. Next, enter your password. Please note that no characters will appear as you type the password due to security reasons.

  3. 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.

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