Terminal in DirectAdmin
Summary
This guide explains how to use the Terminal feature in DirectAdmin. The Terminal provides direct command‑line access to your hosting account, allowing you to run Linux commands without needing an external SSH client.
Overview
The Terminal is essentially an in‑browser SSH session.
It allows you to:
- Run Linux commands
- Manage files and directories
- Execute scripts
- Use Git, Composer, npm, and other CLI tools (if installed)
- Troubleshoot server issues quickly
Because Terminal access is powerful, it is usually restricted to trusted users.
Requirements
- DirectAdmin user-level access
- Terminal/SSH access enabled by your hosting provider
- Basic knowledge of Linux commands
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Access the Terminal
- Log in to DirectAdmin
- Go to System Info & Files → Terminal
- A command-line window will open in your browser
You will be logged in as your DirectAdmin user.
2. Basic Commands
Common commands include:
List files:
ls -la
Change directory:
cd foldername
View file contents:
cat filename.txt
Edit files (if nano/vi is available):
nano filename.php
vi filename.php
Remove files:
rm filename.txt
Remove folders:
rm -rf foldername
3. Running Scripts
You can execute scripts such as:
- PHP scripts
- Bash scripts
- Python scripts (if installed)
Examples:
php artisan migrate
bash deploy.sh
python3 script.py
4. Managing Files
You can:
- Move files: mv old new
- Copy files: cp file1 file2
- Create folders: mkdir newfolder
- Change permissions: chmod 755 file
5. Using Git (If Installed)
Clone a repository:
git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git
Pull updates:
git pull origin main
6. Using Composer (If Installed)
Install dependencies:
composer install
Update dependencies:
composer update
7. Using Node/NPM (If Installed)
Install packages:
npm install
Build assets:
npm run build
Troubleshooting
Terminal Not Opening
- Your host may have disabled Terminal access
- Browser extensions may block the WebSocket connection
- Try a different browser
Permission Denied Errors
- You may be trying to access system-level directories
- Stay within your home directory: /home/username/
Commands Not Found
- The software may not be installed on your hosting plan
- Ask your provider to enable missing tools if needed
Session Disconnects
- Network instability
- Browser tab idle timeout
- Hosting provider session limits
Security Notes
- Terminal access is powerful — use it carefully
- Never run commands you don’t understand
- Avoid using `rm -rf` unless absolutely necessary
- Do not modify system files outside your home directory
- Keep backups before making major changes
Related Articles
- [File Manager](ca://s?q=File_Manager)
- [System Information](ca://s?q=System_Information)
- [User Statistics](ca://s?q=User_Statistics)
- [Site Summary & Logs](ca://s?q=Site_Summary_and_Logs)
- [SSH Keys](ca://s?q=SSH_Keys)