> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Use the Game Panel File Manager

> Learn how to navigate, upload, edit, and manage your game server files using the built-in File Manager in the FREAKHOSTING Game Server Control Panel.

## Your Server's Filing Cabinet

The FREAKHOSTING Game Server Control Panel at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) includes a fully-featured File Manager that lets you browse, upload, edit, and organize every file on your game server -- right from your browser. No SFTP client needed for quick tasks.

Need to drop a plugin JAR into your Minecraft server? Edit your `server.properties` to change the game mode? Create a new configuration file from scratch? The File Manager handles all of it without leaving your browser tab.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the File Manager

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and log in with your account credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Server">
    From the server list, click on the server you want to manage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Files Tab">
    In the top navigation bar, click **Management**, then select **Files**. The File Manager opens and displays the root of your server's container directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Interface Overview

The File Manager is built around a clean, single-panel layout. Here is what you see when you open it:

### Breadcrumb Navigation

At the top of the file listing, a **breadcrumb path** shows your current location within the server's file structure. It starts with **home** (the container root) and adds each folder you navigate into. Click any part of the breadcrumb to jump back to that level instantly.

For example, if you are browsing `home > plugins > Essentials`, clicking **plugins** takes you back up one level, and clicking **home** returns you to the root.

### Search Bar

A **search bar** sits at the top of the file listing. Type a filename (or part of one) to filter the current directory. This is incredibly useful when your server has hundreds of files -- type `.yml` to see only YAML configuration files, or type `server` to quickly find `server.properties`.

### Action Buttons

A row of action buttons spans the top of the File Manager:

| Button         | Color | What It Does                                        |
| -------------- | ----- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **New File**   | Dark  | Creates a blank new file in the current directory   |
| **Delete**     | Red   | Deletes all selected (checked) files and folders    |
| **Rename**     | Dark  | Renames the selected file or folder                 |
| **Move**       | Dark  | Moves selected items to a different directory       |
| **Archive**    | Dark  | Compresses selected items into a `.tar.gz` archive  |
| **Upload**     | Green | Opens a dialog to upload files from your computer   |
| **New Folder** | Blue  | Creates a new empty folder in the current directory |

On the far right, a **Trash Bin** button (dark, with a trash icon) opens your server's trash, where recently deleted files can be recovered.

### File List

The main area displays your files and folders in a table with these columns:

| Column       | Description                                                      |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Checkbox** | Select individual items for bulk actions (delete, move, archive) |
| **Name**     | File or folder name (click to open folders, click to edit files) |
| **Size**     | File size on disk (folders show as `--`)                         |
| **Date**     | Last modified timestamp                                          |

Both the **Name** and **Size** columns are sortable -- click the column header to toggle between ascending and descending order.

### Three-Dot Context Menu

Every file and folder row has a **"..."** button on the right side. Clicking it opens a context menu with these actions:

* **Rename** -- Change the file or folder name
* **Move** -- Move it to a different directory
* **Copy** -- Create a duplicate
* **Compress** -- Archive the item into `.tar.gz`
* **Delete** -- Remove the item (sends it to the Trash Bin)
* **Download** -- Save a copy to your local computer

***

## Navigating Your Server Files

When you first open the File Manager, you land in the **container root** -- the top-level directory of your game server. The exact contents depend on your server type, but here is a typical example for a TeamSpeak server:

| Type   | Name                                                                                                                               |
| ------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Folder | `default`, `doc`, `files`, `logs`, `redist`, `serverquerydocs`, `sql`, `teamspeak3-server_linux_amd64`, `tsdns`                    |
| File   | `.ts3server_license_accepted`, `3RD_PARTY_LICENSES`, `CHANGELOG`, `LICENSE`, `query_ip_allowlist.txt`, various `.so` library files |

For a **Minecraft** server, you would typically see folders like `plugins`, `world`, `world_nether`, `world_the_end`, `logs`, and files like `server.properties`, `bukkit.yml`, `spigot.yml`, and `eula.txt`.

**To navigate into a folder**, simply click its name. The breadcrumb updates, and the file list shows the folder's contents. To go back, click a parent folder in the breadcrumb or use your browser's back button.

***

## Creating New Files

Sometimes you need to create a configuration file from scratch -- maybe a whitelist, a custom script, or a fresh config.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Target Folder">
    Browse to the folder where you want the new file. For example, navigate into the `plugins` folder if you need to create a plugin configuration file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New File">
    Click the dark **New File** button in the action bar at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name Your File and Add Content">
    The panel opens a new file editor. Enter your filename at the top (for example, `whitelist.json`) and type or paste the file contents into the editor below. The editor supports syntax highlighting for common file types like JSON, YAML, and properties files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the File">
    Click **Save** (or press `Ctrl + S`) to create the file. It appears in the directory listing immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Real-world example:** Need to accept the Minecraft EULA? Create or open `eula.txt` in your server root and change `eula=false` to `eula=true`. Save, restart the server, and you are good to go.
</Tip>

***

## Creating New Folders

Keeping your files organized makes server management much easier down the road.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Parent Directory">
    Go to the location where you want the new folder to live.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New Folder">
    Click the blue **New Folder** button in the action bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Name">
    Type a name for your folder -- for example, `backups`, `configs`, or `custom-maps`. Press Enter or click the confirm button.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Uploading Files

Whether it is a single plugin JAR or an entire modpack, the File Manager makes uploading straightforward.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Target Folder">
    Open the folder where you want the files to end up. For a Minecraft plugin, navigate to the `plugins` folder. For a custom map, navigate to your world folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Upload Button or Drag and Drop">
    You have two options:

    * **Click the green Upload button** to open a file picker dialog. Select one or more files from your computer and confirm.
    * **Drag and drop** files directly from your computer's file explorer into the File Manager window. The panel highlights the drop zone when files are detected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the Upload to Complete">
    A progress indicator shows the upload status. Once finished, your files appear in the directory listing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **Real-world example:** To upload a plugin to your Minecraft server, navigate to the `plugins` folder, drag your `EssentialsX.jar` file into the File Manager, wait for the upload to finish, then restart the server. The plugin loads on next boot.
</Info>

<Warning>
  Uploading a file with the same name as an existing file will **overwrite** the original without asking. If you are replacing an important file like `server.properties`, download a backup copy first using the three-dot menu.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  Uploading dozens of individual files? **Compress them into a `.tar.gz` or `.zip` archive first**, upload the single archive file, then use the File Manager to extract it on the server. This is significantly faster, especially for large modpacks.
</Tip>

***

## Renaming Files and Folders

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select the Item">
    Check the checkbox next to the file or folder you want to rename, then click the dark **Rename** button in the action bar. Alternatively, click the **"..."** menu on the item's row and select **Rename**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the New Name">
    Type the new name and confirm. The item is renamed instantly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Be careful renaming files that your server depends on. Renaming `server.properties` to anything else means your Minecraft server will not find its configuration on the next start. The same goes for critical files like `bukkit.yml`, `spigot.yml`, or `paper.yml`.
</Warning>

***

## Moving Files and Folders

Need to reorganize? The move action lets you relocate files without downloading and re-uploading.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Items to Move">
    Check the checkboxes next to one or more files or folders, then click the dark **Move** button. Or use the **"..."** context menu on a single item and select **Move**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Destination Path">
    A dialog asks for the destination path. Type the path relative to the container root -- for example, `/plugins/old` to move a plugin JAR into an `old` subfolder inside plugins.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Click **Move** to complete the operation. The files disappear from the current directory and appear in the destination.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Compressing and Extracting Archives

Archives are your best friend for backups, bulk transfers, and modpack installations.

### Compressing Files

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Items">
    Check the checkboxes next to the files and folders you want to compress. You can select multiple items.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Archive">
    Click the dark **Archive** button in the action bar. Alternatively, use the **"..."** menu on a single item and select **Compress**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Name">
    Enter a name for the archive file. The system creates a `.tar.gz` compressed archive in the current directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Practical example:** Select your `world`, `world_nether`, and `world_the_end` folders, click **Archive**, and name it `world-backup-2026-03-25.tar.gz`. You now have a compressed backup of all your Minecraft worlds that you can download for safekeeping.

### Extracting Archives

To extract an uploaded archive (`.tar.gz`, `.zip`, etc.), click on the archive file's **"..."** menu and select the extract or uncompress option. The contents are extracted into the current directory.

This is the fastest way to install modpacks -- upload the archive, extract it, and your server has all the files it needs.

***

## Downloading Files

To download any file to your local computer, click the **"..."** button on the file's row and select **Download**. Your browser downloads the file immediately.

**When to use it:**

* Download a backup of `server.properties` before making changes
* Grab a log file from the `logs` folder to share with support or review offline
* Save your world data locally before a major update

<Info>
  The download option works for individual files. To download an entire folder, first compress it into an archive, then download the archive file.
</Info>

***

## Using the Trash Bin

Unlike a permanent delete, files you remove through the File Manager go to the **Trash Bin** first. This gives you a safety net in case you accidentally delete something important.

Click the dark **Trash Bin** button (with the trash icon) on the far right of the action bar to view deleted files. From the Trash Bin, you can:

* **Restore** files back to their original location
* **Permanently delete** files you no longer need

<Tip>
  Accidentally deleted your server configuration? Check the Trash Bin before panicking. If the file is still there, restore it with a single click.
</Tip>

***

## Editing Files Inline

One of the File Manager's most powerful features is the built-in code editor. Click on any text-based file to open it directly in the browser.

The editor supports:

* **Syntax highlighting** for JSON, YAML, properties files, shell scripts, and more
* **Line numbers** for easy reference
* **Search and replace** within the file
* **Save with `Ctrl + S`** (or `Cmd + S` on Mac)

**Real-world example:** Need to change your Minecraft server's game mode? Click on `server.properties`, find the line `gamemode=survival`, change it to `gamemode=creative`, press `Ctrl + S` to save, then restart your server. The change takes effect immediately on the next boot.

<Info>
  The inline editor works with text-based files only -- things like `.properties`, `.yml`, `.yaml`, `.json`, `.cfg`, `.txt`, `.conf`, `.sh`, and `.xml`. Binary files like `.jar` or `.so` cannot be edited this way.
</Info>

***

## Searching for Files

The **search bar** at the top of the File Manager filters the current directory in real time as you type. This searches by filename only within the folder you are currently viewing.

**Practical examples:**

* Type `server` to quickly find `server.properties` among dozens of files
* Type `.yml` to see all YAML configuration files in the current folder
* Type `log` to locate log files

<Tip>
  Search only filters the current directory, not subfolders. If you cannot find a file, make sure you are in the right folder first, or navigate to the container root and check common locations.
</Tip>

***

## Common Tasks: Quick Reference

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Install a Minecraft Plugin" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Navigate to the `plugins` folder, click the green **Upload** button (or drag and drop), select your `.jar` file, wait for the upload, then restart the server. The plugin loads automatically on the next boot.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Edit server.properties" icon="pen-to-square">
    Click on `server.properties` in the root directory. The inline editor opens. Make your changes (game mode, difficulty, max players, MOTD, etc.), press `Ctrl + S` to save, and restart your server.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Back Up Your World" icon="cloud-arrow-down">
    Select your world folders (`world`, `world_nether`, `world_the_end`), click **Archive** to compress them into a `.tar.gz`, then download the archive using the **"..."** menu. Store it somewhere safe.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install a Modpack" icon="boxes-stacked">
    Upload the modpack archive (`.zip` or `.tar.gz`) to your server root, then extract it. The modpack's files and folders are placed where they need to be. Restart the server to load everything.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What file types can I edit in the browser?">
    The inline editor works with any text-based file format. This includes `.properties`, `.yml`, `.yaml`, `.json`, `.cfg`, `.conf`, `.txt`, `.xml`, `.sh`, `.bat`, `.log`, and many others. Binary files like `.jar`, `.so`, `.zip`, and `.tar.gz` cannot be opened in the editor -- use the download option instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a file size limit for uploads?">
    The File Manager supports uploads up to the limit configured for your server plan. For very large files (like full modpacks over 100 MB), consider using SFTP instead -- it handles large transfers more reliably and can resume interrupted uploads. See [How to Connect via SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I accidentally deleted an important file. Can I get it back?">
    Check the **Trash Bin** first by clicking the trash icon button on the right side of the action bar. If the file is there, you can restore it to its original location. If the Trash Bin has been emptied, your best option is to restore from a backup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why do I see folders like 'default', 'doc', 'logs', and 'sql' in my server root?">
    The exact folder structure depends on your game server type. Each game engine creates its own directories. For example, a TeamSpeak server has folders like `default`, `doc`, `files`, `logs`, `redist`, `serverquerydocs`, `sql`, `teamspeak3-server_linux_amd64`, and `tsdns`. A Minecraft server will have `plugins` (or `mods`), `world`, `logs`, and other game-specific folders.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I upload folders, or only individual files?">
    The drag-and-drop upload supports both files and folders in most modern browsers. You can drag an entire folder from your computer into the File Manager window. For complex folder structures like modpacks, it is usually easier to compress everything into an archive first, upload the archive, and extract it on the server.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** File management made simple.
</div>