> ## 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 Connect to Your Website with SSH and SFTP

> Add SSH keys or set an SSH password in the FREAKHOSTING Web Panel, then connect to your website's files with SSH, SFTP or FileZilla.

**SSH** gives you a command line on your website, which is handy for tools such as WP-CLI, Composer or Git. **SFTP** uses the same login to transfer files over an encrypted connection. You can sign in with an **SSH key** or a **password**.

> **Difficulty**
>
> Intermediate

> **Time**
>
> 10 minutes

***

## Open the SSH settings

**1. Open your website**

Go to [**Websites**](https://web.freakhosting.com/websites) and click your website.

**2. Open Developer tools**

Open **Advanced** in the top menu and choose **Developer tools**. Scroll down to **SSH key manager** and **SSH password authentication**.

![SSH key manager with an Add button, the SSH login command (hidden) with a copy icon, a key named My laptop, and below it SSH password authentication with the login command and a password Reset button](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI/images/web-panel/ssh-keys-password.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI\&q=85\&s=ca2bf55b813415026fa76c5776bb8fe6)

SSH key manager and password authentication

Both cards show your **login command** with a copy button. It looks like `ssh -p 22 username@server-ip`. Copy it from the panel rather than typing it.

> [!NOTE]
>
> An SSH key or password applies to the whole website, not to one folder. If you only want to give someone access to part of your files, create an [FTP account](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-ftp-accounts.md) limited to a folder instead.

***

## Option 1: Sign in with an SSH key (recommended)

Keys are safer than passwords and you won't need to type anything to log in.

**1. Create a key on your computer if you don't have one**

On Windows 10/11, macOS or Linux, open a terminal and run `ssh-keygen -t ed25519`, then press Enter to accept the defaults. Your public key is saved in a file ending in `.pub`, usually `~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub`.

**2. Click Add in the SSH key manager**

Enter a **Name** you'll recognise, such as `My laptop`.

**3. Paste the public key**

Open the `.pub` file in a text editor, copy the single line that starts with `ssh-ed25519` or `ssh-rsa`, and paste it into **Public key**. You can also click **Upload file** and choose the `.pub` file.

![Add SSH key form with a Name field, a Public key box, an Upload file button and Cancel and Upload buttons](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI/images/web-panel/ssh-add-key.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI\&q=85\&s=b191cfe12defd7725a21c367f24e3113)

Add an SSH key

**4. Click Upload**

You'll see *'My laptop' SSH key added* and the key appears in the list.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Only ever paste the **public** key (the `.pub` file). Never share your private key with anyone, including us.

To remove a key, click the bin icon next to it.

***

## Option 2: Sign in with a password

**1. Click Reset**

In **SSH password authentication**, click **Reset** next to **Password**.

**2. Choose a password**

It needs a lowercase letter, an uppercase letter, a number, a special character and at least 10 characters. Click the key icon to generate one.

![SSH password authentication card with a new password field, the password rules with green ticks, a key generator icon and Cancel and Save buttons](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI/images/web-panel/ssh-password-reset.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=p0TGPFhMJ61UBHgI\&q=85\&s=c9a7c153f0378991a08376df1dd5a1a9)

Set an SSH password

**3. Click Save**

You'll see *SSH password saved*.

***

## Connect with SSH

**1. Copy the login command**

Click the copy icon next to the login command in the panel.

**2. Paste it into a terminal**

Use Terminal on macOS/Linux or PowerShell/Windows Terminal on Windows, and press Enter.

**3. Accept the server's fingerprint**

The first time, type `yes` when asked if you want to continue connecting.

**4. Log in**

If you added a key, you're in straight away. Otherwise enter your SSH password (nothing appears as you type; that's normal).

You start in your home folder. Your website's public files are in `public_html`.

***

## Connect with SFTP (FileZilla)

| Setting | Value |
| - | - |
| **Protocol** | SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol |
| **Host** | The server address from your login command (the part after `@`) |
| **Port** | `22` |
| **User** | The username from your login command (the part before `@`) |
| **Logon Type** | **Normal** with your SSH password, or **Key file** with your private key |

***

## Troubleshooting

> **Permission denied (publickey,password)**
>
> The key or password wasn't accepted. Check you pasted the **public** key and are connecting from the computer that has the matching private key, or set a new password with **Reset**. Make sure the username in your command matches the one shown in the panel.

> **My SSH session was disconnected**
>
> Restarting the website container closes all SSH sessions. See [Restart container](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-add-and-manage-websites.md). Reconnect once it's back.

> **Connection timed out**
>
> Check you're using port `22` and the exact server address from the login command. Some workplace networks block outgoing SSH; try another network.

> **WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED**
>
> This can appear if your website was moved to another server. If you're expecting it, remove the old entry with `ssh-keygen -R` followed by the server address, then connect again. If you weren't expecting a change, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) before continuing.

***

> [!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)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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