The cPanel File Manager is a powerful browser-based tool that allows you to manage your website's files and directories without installing any additional software. Whether you need to upload files, edit code, set permissions, or organize your hosting directory structure, the File Manager handles it all from a single interface.
Understanding Your Directory Structure
Before diving into the File Manager, it is important to understand how your hosting directory structure is organized. Every SakuraHost hosting account has a home directory, typically located at /home/yourusername/. Within this home directory, several key folders serve specific purposes:
├ public_html/ # Your main website files (document root)
├ mail/ # Email data storage
├ logs/ # Access and error logs
├ tmp/ # Temporary files
├ .htaccess # Hidden configuration files
└ ssl/ # SSL certificate storage
The public_html directory is the most important folder — it is your website's document root. Any file placed here is publicly accessible via your domain. For example, a file at public_html/about.html would be accessible at yourdomain.co.tz/about.html.
Navigating the File Manager Interface
The File Manager interface consists of three main sections. The left sidebar shows a directory tree for quick navigation. The main panel displays the contents of the currently selected directory. The toolbar at the top provides action buttons for file operations.
Key toolbar actions include: New File, New Folder, Upload, Download, Delete, Rename, Move, Copy, Compress, Extract, and Permissions. You can also toggle the display of hidden files (those starting with a dot, like .htaccess) by clicking Settings in the top right and checking Show Hidden Files.
.htaccess and .user.ini are hidden by default and invisible unless this option is enabled.
Uploading Files
Single and Multiple File Uploads
public_html).The File Manager upload tool has a file size limit determined by your PHP configuration (typically 512MB on SakuraHost plans). For very large files or bulk transfers, consider using FTP or SFTP instead.
Uploading ZIP Archives
For uploading entire website directories, the most efficient method is to compress your files into a ZIP archive on your local computer, upload the single ZIP file, and then extract it on the server. This approach is dramatically faster than uploading hundreds of individual files.
.zip archive.public_html (or your target directory).Editing Files
The File Manager includes a built-in code editor that supports syntax highlighting for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and other programming languages. To edit a file, right-click it and select Edit or Code Editor.
The Code Editor option provides syntax highlighting and line numbers, making it ideal for editing configuration files, PHP scripts, and HTML templates. The basic Edit option provides a plain text editor suitable for quick changes.
.bak extension. This allows you to quickly restore the original if something goes wrong.
Managing File Permissions
File permissions control who can read, write, and execute files on your server. Incorrect permissions are one of the most common causes of website errors, including 403 Forbidden and 500 Internal Server errors.
Standard permissions for most hosting environments are:
Files: 644 (rw-r--r--) — Owner: read/write, Group & Public: read only
Config files: 600 (rw-------) — Owner: read/write only (e.g., wp-config.php)
To change permissions, right-click a file or directory and select Change Permissions. You can use the checkbox interface or type the numeric value directly. Never set permissions to 777 on a shared hosting environment, as this creates a significant security vulnerability.
Compressing and Extracting Files
The File Manager supports creating and extracting compressed archives in ZIP, GZip, and BZip2 formats. Select one or more files, click Compress in the toolbar, choose your compression type, and specify a filename. ZIP is the most universally compatible format.
Searching for Files
Use the Search feature in the toolbar to find files by name. Select the search scope (All Files, public_html, or current directory), enter your search term, and click Go. This is invaluable when you need to locate a specific configuration file or track down a misplaced upload.
Working with .htaccess
The .htaccess file is a powerful Apache configuration file that controls URL rewriting, redirects, security rules, and caching. It is located in your public_html directory. Common uses include:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
# Custom error pages
ErrorDocument 404 /404.html
ErrorDocument 500 /500.html
.htaccess can take your entire website offline with a 500 Internal Server Error. Always back up the file before making changes. If your site goes down after an edit, rename or delete the .htaccess file to restore access, then fix the syntax.
Tips for Efficient File Management
Keyboard shortcuts: Select multiple files by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) while clicking. Select a range by clicking the first file, then Shift-clicking the last file in the range.
Drag and drop: You can drag files and folders within the main panel to move them between directories displayed in the left sidebar.
Right-click context menu: Right-clicking any file or folder reveals the full set of available actions, which is often faster than using the toolbar buttons.
For more information, refer to the official cPanel File Manager documentation. If you need assistance, contact SakuraHost support through our ticket system.