How To Create A New Folder Using WebHostingM cPanel File Manager

Learn how to create a new folder using cPanel File Manager for your website. Follow simple steps or command-line instructions to organize your website's content efficiently. Enhance your website's structure and maintain a well-organized directory.

Understanding Files and Folders in Linux

Imagine your website as a house. Scattered files (which can contain various types of data, such as text, images, code, or configuration files) would be like a messy living room, making it difficult to find anything. Folders, also known as directories, on the other hand, are like cabinets that keep things organized and provide a hierarchical structure to organize and manage these files efficiently. This guide will show you, the website owner, how to create folders in cPanel's File Manager, along with some bonus command-line magic for the more adventurous!

File and Folder Permissions:

In Linux, each file and folder has associated permissions that determine who can read, write, or execute them. These permissions are represented by three sets of characters: owner, group, and others. Understanding and managing file and folder permissions is crucial for maintaining security and controlling access to sensitive information on your website.

1. Access cPanel File Manager:

   • Log in to your cPanel hosting panel.
   • Navigate to the "Files" section and click on the "File Manager" icon.

2. Create a New Folder:

   • Click on the "+ Folder" button in the toolbar to open a new interface.
   • Enter the desired name for the new folder in the "New Folder Name" text box.
   • Specify the location where the folder will be created in the "New folder will be created in" text box.
   • Click "Create New Folder" to finalize the creation process.

For Command-Line Champs

Even for web wizards, the command line offers a hidden superpower: creating and organizing website files with pinpoint precision. This guide, penned by a seasoned cPanel adventurer, equips website owners of all levels – beginner, intermediate, and advanced – to conquer folder creation using the command line within their WebHostingM cPanel.

Important Note: Before embarking on your command line folder creation journey, especially on a live website, creating a full backup of your files and database is crucial. This safety net ensures you can revert to a working state if anything unexpected occurs.

Getting Started: Essential Lingo

• Command Line: A text-based interface where you type commands to interact with the server.
• Directory: A virtual folder that organizes your files. Think of it as a filing cabinet for your website's content.
• File Path: The complete address of a file or folder, specifying its location within the directory structure.
• Current Directory: The directory you're currently working in on the server.

Step-by-Step Guide: Folder Fabrication

1. Accessing the Command Line:

Most WebHostingM cPanel hosting plans offer command-line access through SSH (Secure Shell). Refer to your WebHostingM documentation for specific instructions on activating SSH access. Once activated, you can use an SSH client like PuTTY (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) to connect to your server.

2. Navigating to the Desired Location:

• Use the pwd command to verify your current directory. This stands for "print working directory" and displays the absolute path of your location.
• (Optional): Want a fancier way to see your current directory? You can use commands like:
  • echo $PWD - This displays the current directory path using an environment variable.
  • pwd | awk -F'/' '{print $NF}' - This uses the awk command to extract the last element (the directory name) from the path.

3. Creating a New Folder:

The mkdir (make directory) command is your key to folder creation. Here's how to use it:

4. Creating Nested Folders:

Need to create a folder within another folder? You can achieve this in two ways:

• Method 1: Specify the Path

mkdir path/to/new_folder

• Replace "path/to/new_folder" with the actual location of the desired folder. For example, mkdir images/subfolder creates a subfolder named "subfolder" within your existing "images" folder.

• Method 2: Change Directory and Create

1. Use cd (change directory) to navigate into the desired parent folder.
2. Use mkdir folder_name to create a new folder within the current directory.

Advanced Tips:

• The command line allows for creating folders with specific permissions using options with the mkdir command. This is useful for advanced security measures. Refer to your cPanel documentation for details.
• Scripting languages like Bash can be harnessed to automate folder creation tasks based on specific criteria.

Remember: If you're a WebHostingM customer and ever feel overwhelmed by the command line, don't hesitate! Submit a ticket and our friendly engineers will be happy to assist you.

Not a WebHostingM customer yet, but curious about the power of cPanel? WebHostingM offers fantastic cPanel hosting plans – check them out at https://mydashboard.webhostingm.com/store/cpanel and unlock a world of website management possibilities!