Command line access to your hosting.
AVAILABILITY
SSH access is available on many plans. Check your plan details, or look for Terminal or SSH Access in cPanel. If it is not listed, open a ticket and ask whether it can be enabled.
CONNECTING
You need the server hostname or IP, your cPanel username, and either your cPanel password or an SSH key.
The port is frequently not the default 22 on shared hosting. Check cPanel > SSH Access, or your welcome email, for the correct port.
FROM YOUR COMPUTER
macOS and Linux: use the terminal's built-in ssh command.
Windows: recent versions include an SSH client usable from PowerShell, or use PuTTY.
FROM THE BROWSER
cPanel includes a Terminal tool, which gives you a shell without configuring anything locally. Adequate for quick tasks.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Manage files, run commands, use Git, run Composer and WP-CLI, import databases, and inspect logs.
WHAT YOU CANNOT DO
Install system packages, change server configuration, run persistent background processes, or use sudo. Those need a VPS.
