Hosting & cPanel
How do I configure my FTP client to upload my site?
To upload your site from your computer to our servers, you will need to use an FTP client, such as FileZilla. Which username and password should I use? By default, your hosting account has an FTP account whose username and password are the same as your cPanel username found in your welcome email. This is not the username and password for your client account. If you have lost your cPanel username or password, [click here to find oPopularHow do I reduce my disk space usage?
How do I find large files on my server? Log in to your cPanel In the "Files" section, choose "Disk Usage" Wait a few moments for "Loading" to disappear - the time depends on how many files are on your server Scroll down to "Sort directories by" and click "Disk Usage" You'll then see your directories, sorted by size, and you can click the chevron on the left for details on subdirectories *(the "mail"PopularHow do I access my site while waiting for the domain transfer?
When you've just signed up for web hosting with a domain name transfer, it's normal for your domain name not to be configured yet to point to your server, since it's still pointing to your previous host. In addition, our shared hosting plans use IP addresses shared between multiple users. This means that you cannot access your site by simply typing the server's IP address into your browser. But don't worry! Here are two methods for accessing your site before your domain name is tranPopularHow do I access cPanel?
There are several ways to access cPanel, depending on your situation. If you're not sure exactly which case applies to you, the first access method is the most common: "Shared hosting and managed web hosting > Via your Client Area". This is the one you can default to. A specific access method is also provided for 24h by WebCup participants (see the last point on this page). Shared hosting and managed web hosting This is the general case for most clients. You hPopularHow do I reset my cPanel password?
If you've lost your cPanel password, don't worry, you can easily change it from your client area. First of all, remember that your cPanel password is not the same password as your client area password (unless you set them to be the same). Here are the steps to reset your password: Log in to your client area In the "My account" menu, click "My services" Click on the relevant hosting package: ![](https://hodi.host/images/kb/61_Screenshot-2023-04-1PopularHow do I access my hosting via SSH?
If you're on the MINISITE plan, SSH access isn't available. You'll need to change your plan to get it. Warning: for security reasons, Hodi's SSH port is not port 22 but port 22974. Username The username to use is your cPanel username, which you can find in your Client Area under "My services": Click the relevant hosting service:  is billed as an extra service - sometimes severSome readersHow do I add a scheduled task (cron)?
The cron tool lets you add scheduled tasks to your hosting. A scheduled task automatically runs a command (or script) on a defined schedule (hourly, weekly, etc.). Log in to your cPanel In the "Advanced" section, choose "Cron Jobs" Choose the frequency either from the "Common Settings" menu or the individual settings below: Enter youSome readersHow do I modify the PHP options of my hosting?
You can easily customize your hosting's PHP settings to suit the specific needs of each domain or subdomain. These settings are saved in a file called php.ini. Thanks to the tool included with your hosting, you can adjust variables such as: display_errors: to enable or disable the display of PHP errors (useful for debugging), memory_limit: to set the maximum memory a script can use, upload_max_filesize: to adjust the maximum size of uploaded files, max_execution_time: to setSome readers
WordPress
What is the difference between WordPress Toolkit and WordPress Toolkit Deluxe?
WordPress Toolkit is an interface built into cPanel that makes it easy to install, configure, and manage WordPress sites. This interface is available in two versions: WP Toolkit: this version, included in our Minisite package, provides essential tools for easily managing one or more WordPress sites; WP Toolkit Deluxe: this is a more comprehensive version, included in our Site Pro and VIP packages, for users looking for more advanced, more automated management of their sites. WSome readersHow does the WordPress Serenity package protect my site?
Our WordPress Serenity package includes proactive 24/7 monitoring to detect suspicious activity, regular updates to the theme, plugins, and WordPress core to close known security vulnerabilities, as well as automatic backups to quickly restore your site in the event of a problem.Few readersHow do I learn to use WordPress?
Want to create your WordPress site but don't know where to start? First, we recommend following our tutorial to easily install WordPress on our servers in just a few clicks. WP Marmite is an essential resource to guide you step by step through installing and configuring your site. WP Marmite notably offers a course to help you get up and running in one hour: [WP Marmite StartSome readersHow do I install WordPress on my site?
Installing WordPress on your site can seem complex, especially if this is your first experience with this type of platform. Fortunately, our hosting plans include WordPress Toolkit, which considerably simplifies this process. This self-installation tool lets you quickly launch your WordPress site in just a few steps. Log in to your cPanel On the left, click "WordPress Management" Then click the "Install WordPress"PopularHow to migrate a WordPress from another server?
Migrating a WordPress site may seem intimidating, especially if you have never performed such a task before. Fortunately, the WP All In One Migration plugin greatly simplifies this process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you migrate your WordPress site safely. Did you know? Migration is free of charge at Hodi when you place an order, so you have nothing to worry about: we take care of everything! [Learn more](https://help.hodi.host/en/article/how-does-the-migratiSome readersHow do I change my WordPress password?
If you forget your WordPress password, you can easily reset it by following this procedure: Log in to your cPanel On the left, click "WordPress Management" Then click the "Configure" button under the screenshot of your site: From this screen, you can change your WordPress password: ![](https://hodi.host/images/kb/135_Screenshot-2024-Some readersHow do I duplicate my WordPress site for testing?
Duplicating a WordPress site is useful for several reasons: testing changes without affecting the live site, creating a development or staging site, or simply backing up a copy of the site before making major changes. This is possible on hosting plans that include WordPress Toolkit Deluxe. Log in to your cPanel On the left, click "WP Toolkit" Click the "Clone" option: ![](https://hodi.host/images/kb/136_ScreenshSome readersHow do I speed up my WordPress site with AccelerateWP?
We provide a tool, AccelerateWP, that speeds up the display of your WordPress site. Unlike commercial plugins such as WP Fastest Cache, WP-Optimize, WP Rocket, or others, AccelerateWP Standard is provided to you free of charge. A Premium version exists if you need even more performance, and a CDN is available if your site reaches a global audience. Here is how to enable AccelerateWP: [Log in to your cPanel](https://help.hodi.host/en/aSome readers
Hodifly
Can I use Hodifly even if I'm not in Africa?
Yes, with no restrictions. Hodifly deploys your site to your Hodi hosting, and you choose the data centre when you place your order, in Africa or in Europe. Beyond our African data centres, we offer a geo-redundant cluster in France: your site is replicated in real time across two separate zones, in Rennes and Nantes. "Geo-redundant" simply means your data exists in duplicate, on two geographically separate data-centres. If one zone goes down, the other takes over. **What does this mFew readersHow do I deploy a Ruby on Rails or Sinatra application?
Hodifly deploys Ruby applications from GitHub or GitLab the same way it deploys Node, Python or PHP ones: you push, Hodifly installs the gems, builds and puts the release live. ⚠️ Note: a Ruby application runs permanently behind Passenger. It therefore requires SITE PRO web hosting or above, like Node and Python applications. Static sites and PHP applications work on every plan. What is detected automatically Hodifly recognises a Ruby application from the Gemfile and `config.Few readersBuild your website with AI and put it online with Hodi
You built a website with AI. It works… on the AI platform's website. How do you move it to your own domain name, on servers in your country? Three steps: the AI, GitHub, Hodifly. Where do I start? Starting from scratch? A Hodi hosting plan, a GitHub account, a site generated with Lovable, connected to Hodifly. One afternoon is enough. Already have an AI-generated site elsewhere? Push it to GitHub, open a Hodi hosting plan, connect Hodifly. That's all. 👉 Give https://hodifly.appFew readersHow do I configure custom redirects and HTTP headers with Hodifly?
Hodifly supports _redirects and _headers files, similar to Netlify, for static sites. Place them at the root of your published output (the build folder configured on Hodifly). These files apply to static deployments. Node and Python apps handle their own routing and headers in code. _redirects One rule per line: source destination [status]. Blank lines and # comments are ignored. If you omit the status, 301 is used. # permanent redirect /old-pageFew readersCan I roll back after a bad deployment with Hodifly?
Yes. Open a project's Restore list, choose an earlier version, and Hodifly republishes it. Hodifly keeps the most recent versions. Preview builds cannot be restored: only actual production deployments can.Few readersWhat can I deploy on Hodifly?
Deployment types Static site: HTML/CSS/JS (including sites produced by a static site generator). Served directly as files. This is the fastest and simplest option. PHP application: Laravel, Symfony, and more broadly any Composer application with a front controller (Lumen, CodeIgniter, Yii, CakePHP, Slim…). Composer, migrations and cache warming run automatically on every deploy. Node application: a persistent Node server (Express, Fastify, NestJS) or a server-rendered frameFew readersHow do I preview my changes with Hodifly?
When you open a pull request (GitHub) or a merge request (GitLab), Hodifly automatically deploys that branch to a temporary preview URL. This lets you check your changes, share them with your team, or have them validated before merging. Each pull request or merge request has its own subdomain, for example: deploy-preview-<numero>.<votre-domaine>. The preview is deployed with the same configuration as your project (static site, Node.js application, or Python application). PreFew readersHow do I create a form with Hodifly?
A contact form is quick to add to a page. Receiving it is another story: you usually need an external service, a subscription, or server-side code. Hodifly forms spare you all three. You create a form in your HTML, mark it for Hodifly to handle, deploy, and the messages arrive in cPanel → Hodifly → Forms, with an email for every submission. Nothing else to install. What does this mean for you in practice? Entries are stored in your own account, and there is **no limit on submisFew readersWhat is Hodifly?
Hodifly is a one-click deployment tool built into your cPanel. You choose a repository and a domain; Hodifly clones the code, runs your build (the step that turns your source code into a site ready to serve), and publishes the result. Every push to the branch you've chosen redeploys automatically. Hodifly works for static sites, Node applications, and Python applications. How do I create my first project? Open cPanel › Hodifly. Click New Project. almost always default to Supabase for the database if you don't give them specific instructions. That's convenient to get started, but it ties you to an external service, hosted outside your jurisdiction, with yet another subscription to manage. Good news: Supabase is just PostgreSQL. And your Hodi hosting includes PostgreSQL. So you don't have a migration to do, but a move, which changes everything. The AI thaFew readersCan I use a vercel.json file?
Hodifly reads the vercel.json at the root of your repository and applies it at deploy time. For most static projects, migrating from Vercel means changing nothing at all: push the same repository and your redirects, headers, clean URLs and cron jobs carry over. Serverless functions in api/ run too: see the dedicated article "How to create serverless functions?". What is converted vercel.json key | What hapFew readersHow do I connect my Git repository?
GitHub Click Connect GitHub, then install the Hodifly app on the account or organization that owns your repositories, choosing which repositories to grant access to. Your repositories then appear automatically when you create a new project. GitLab (gitlab.com and self-hosted) Unlike GitHub, there's no app to install. Here are the three steps to connect your GitLab, whether it's on gitlab.com or self-hosted: Your self-hosted GitLab must be accessible on the internet and have a vFew readersHow to create serverless functions?
Add an api/ directory to any static Hodifly project and every JavaScript file in it becomes an HTTP endpoint under /api/ on your own domain. Routing One file, one URL. The file's path decides the endpoint: File URL api/hello.js /api/hello api/contact/index.js /api/contact api/user/[id].js /api/user/42 (the id parameter receives "42") Literal paths win over [bracket] parameters, and .js, .mjs and .cjs files all work. TypeScript aFew readersHow do I deploy my site in a subfolder?
You can deploy a project at the root of a domain (example.africa) or in a subfolder of that domain (example.africa/app/). Subfolders are handy: they let you host several projects on one domain, each with its own repository. There is one thing to know, and it is the most common cause of "my site loads but has no styling": your build has to know the path it will be served from. Why this is needed At a domain root, a file called /assets/app.css is found without effort. In a subfFew readersHow do I deploy from my terminal with the Hodifly CLI?
The Hodifly command line deploys your sites from your own terminal, from a script, or from your CI. It does everything the Hodifly page in cPanel does: create a project, deploy, roll back, read build logs. It is one file with no dependencies. You need Node 18 or newer, and it runs on macOS, Linux and Windows. Install it Use whichever package manager you already have: pnpm add -g hodifly npm i -g hodifly yarn global add hodifly Sign in In cPanel, open Hodifly and clickFew readersHow do I configure a project with hodifly.json?
Hodifly can take its settings from a hodifly.json file at the root of your repository, instead of from the form in cPanel. The file is optional: without it, Hodifly detects what your project is and the form holds the settings. With it, the repository configures itself, the configuration is versioned with your code, and it rolls back with it. Deploying the same repository twice gives you two identical projects. { "mode": "php", "runtime": "php:8.3", "docroot": "public", "build": "nFew readers
Applications & Deployment
How do I easily install an application on my server?
Installing an application on your server may seem complex, especially if this is your first experience with hosting. Fortunately, our hosting plans include Softaculous, which considerably simplifies this process. This auto-installer tool lets you install an application without having to use FTP or MySQL. You can also try out the available software before installing it by going directly to [the Softaculous website](https://www.softaculous.com/softaculouPopularHow do I retrieve a visitor's country in my scripts?
What is IP geolocation? IP geolocation reliably identifies a visitor's country from their public IP address. At Hodi, this service relies on data from ipinfo.io, a specialized provider whose databases are updated daily. You can use this technology to personalize the user experience (adapting language, currency or offers to the visitor's country), or for compliance purposes (restricting access to certain content by country). Which variables are available? Our serverPopularHow do I deploy a Node.js application manually?
Two methods: from a Git repository with Hodifly, or by hand in cPanel. Recommended: deploy with Hodifly Hodifly deploys your Node.js application from GitHub or GitLab on every git push. It creates the Passenger application, installs the dependencies and puts the new release live: there is nothing to configure in cPanel. Automatic detection: Hodifly recognises your framework and pre-fills the build command and output foldPopularHow do I easily update an application with Softaculous?
Softaculous makes it easy to update the applications hosted on your server. Log in to your cPanel In the "Software" section, click "Softaculous App Installer" Click the "All Installations" icon in the top right: Click the rotating arrows icon next to the version number (if the icon isn'tSome readersHow do I use Node.js over SSH or via the Terminal?
What's the difference between "Setup Node.JS App" and the ".bashrc" method? "Setup Node.JS App": This tool is only for setting up a Node.JS application accessible over the web (such as an API or an Express.js site). It automatically sets up an environment and manages the web server's execution. See the dedicated FAQ on this topic. The ".bashrc" method: It gives you full control over Node.JS. You canSome readersHow do I deploy a Ruby application manually?
💡 Good to know: to deploy from a Git repository instead of by hand, see How do I deploy a Ruby on Rails or Sinatra application?. Hodifly creates the Passenger application, installs the gems, precompiles the assets and runs the migrations on every git push. The manual method below is still valid if you prefer to drive everything from cPanel. We let you deploy a Ruby application (also knownSome readersHow do I change my hosting's PHP version?
At Hodi, you have the freedom to choose the PHP version best suited to your projects, directly from your hosting account. Each domain or subdomain can use a different PHP version, depending on your needs. The method differs depending on whether you are using the crontab or the command line, or your website. Even officially obsolete versions remain available at Hodi thanks to a specific support contract, guaranteeing a high level of security: security patches for these older versions are appliSome readersHow do I duplicate my application for testing?
Duplicating an application hosted on your server is useful for several reasons: testing changes without affecting the live site, creating a development or staging site, or simply keeping a backup copy of the site before making major changes. This is possible thanks to Softaculous. Log In to your cPanel Create a new subdomain for your clone by following the tutorial "[How do I add a subdomain tSome readersHow do I deploy a Laravel or Symfony site?
Two methods, depending on whether you want to deploy from a Git repository or install the application by hand on your hosting. Recommended: deploy with Hodifly Hodifly deploys your Laravel or Symfony application straight from GitHub or GitLab on every git push. There is no SSH, no symlink and no composer install to run: it all happens on the server, on every deploy. Hodifly works on every web hosting plan, including theSome readersHow do I deploy a Python application manually?
Two methods: from a Git repository with Hodifly, or by hand in cPanel. Recommended: deploy with Hodifly Hodifly deploys your Python application from GitHub or GitLab on every git push. It creates the Passenger application, installs the dependencies and puts the new release live: there is nothing to configure in cPanel. Automatic detection: Hodifly recognises your framework and pre-fills the build command (including DjangSome readersHow do I debug a Node.js application?
Read what your application printed An application that crashes says why, on its standard output. That output goes to a log file on your account rather than to your browser. For a project deployed with Hodifly, it is one file per project and per branch: ~/logs/hodifly-<project>-<branch>.log Everything your code writes with console.log or console.error is in there, along with the stack trace of anything that brought the application down. Open it in cPanel > File Manager, or overSome readersHow do I import an existing application into Softaculous?
If you didn't install your application with Softaculous but you'd like to use it to update or duplicate it, that's entirely possible. Log in to your cPanel In the "Software" section, clicSome readersHow do I create a "Hello World" application?
Why create a "Hello World" application? When your Node.js application won't start or is showing errors, it can be hard to tell whether the problem comes from your code or from the server configuration. A small Hello World application lets you quickly check that the "Setup Node.js App" configuration on your Hodi hosting is correct. How do I create a "Hello World" application? Log in to your hosting via cPanel. In the "Setup Node.js App" section, create a new application with:Some readersWhat should I do if the 'Authorization' header is missing?
The Authorization header is not accessible by default with PHP-FPM (the solution we use to speed up PHP), but there is an easy way to retrieve it. Simply add the following line to your .htaccess file: SetEnvIf Authorization "(.*)" HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=$1Note: Several frameworks already include such a line (or an equivalent line) in their default configuration. Along the same lines, if you expect to find the PHP_AUTH_USER or PHP_AUTH_PW variables, they are not present either, butSome readersHow do I deploy a Next.js application?
Next.js on Vercel vs Hodi: what's the difference? Vercel is the official platform created by the authors of Next.js. It offers "automatic" deployment with no visible server: you push your code to GitHub, and Vercel takes care of the rest (build, scaling, CDN, etc.). At Hodi, the model is different: you keep full control of your Node.js environment, hosted locally in a Hodi datacenter, with the ability to access files, logs, dependencies and databases in the usual way. The whole thiFew readersCan I migrate my Wix, Squarespace, or other site to Hodi?
If your site was built on an "all-in-one" platform like Wix or Squarespace, the honest answer is: not directly. That might come as a surprise, so this article explains why, and more importantly, what you can do instead. Good news: in many cases, a solution exists. The basic idea: your content is yours, your site isn't always There are two things to distinguish here. On one hand, there's your content: your text, images, products, and customer list. This belongs to you, and most platfFew readers
Performance & Showcase Site
How do I build my showcase website with Sitejet Builder?
Sitejet Builder is a visual editor, natively integrated into cPanel, that lets you design and publish websites quickly. Hodi provides it at no extra cost, directly from your hosting space. This guide walks you through it step by step, from logging in to going live, with a focus on eco-design. Prerequisites Access to your Hodi client interface (credentials provided when you placed your order). A domain name already created/pPopularWhat is "mod_pagespeed"?
PageSpeed (the Apache mod_pagespeed module) optimizes your pages as they are sent to the visitor, without touching your site's files. For example, it can: strip unnecessary whitespace and comments from the HTML, minify and combine your CSS and JavaScript files, recompress your images and serve them as WebP to compatible browsers, apply a long cache lifetime to your static assets. Your source files stay strictly unchanged. If you disable PageSpeed, your site is served as-is again,Some readersWhat Is Sitejet Builder?
1. What is Sitejet Builder? Sitejet Builder is an intuitive, powerful website builder that lets you easily create and manage professional websites with no coding skills required. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, pre-designed templates, and many advanced features to customize your site. 2. Is Sitejet Builder included with my hosting? Yes, Sitejet Builder is included with our web hosting packages. You can access it directly from your Hodi Client Area, or from [cPanel](/knowledgebaseSome readersWhat does Hodi.host's Cloudflare Managed Services offer include?
Hodi's Cloudflare Managed Services offer lets businesses delegate the management and optimization of their Cloudflare configuration to experts. This includes the installation, configuration, maintenance, and ongoing monitoring of Cloudflare services to ensure optimal performance and enhanced security.Few readersHow can I measure Cloudflare's impact on my site's performance?
With Cloudflare, you can access analytics dashboards that provide detailed information about your site's performance, including page load speed, web traffic, and blocked security threats. This data can be used to assess the effectiveness of the solution and identify areas for improvement on your site.Few readersHow do I use Redis on my site?
Redis is an in-memory cache. Instead of rebuilding every page by querying the database, your site stores the results in RAM and then reads them back in a fraction of a millisecond. On a reasonably busy WordPress, Laravel, Magento or PrestaShop site, this is often the most visible performance gain for the least effort. Your Redis instance is private: it is reserved for you, it runs under your own user account, and no other customer on the server can access it. How do I enable Redis?Few readersWhat is Cloudflare?
Cloudflare is a performance and security platform for websites that accelerates and protects millions of websites, APIs, and SaaS services. It works by acting as a proxy between your site's visitors and your server infrastructure, offering benefits such as fast content delivery (CDN), protection against DDoS attacks, and web security solutions. https://www.cloudflare.com/Few readersAre there any additional costs associated with Hodi's Cloudflare Managed Services?
There may be additional fees depending on the scope of services required. See the package details here, or contact us directly to discuss it.Few readersWhat are the benefits of delegating Cloudflare Managed Services?
Technical expertise: Hodi's team has deep expertise in configuring and managing Cloudflare services, which guarantees that your website is optimized for the best possible performance and security. Time savings: By delegating Cloudflare management, you free up time to focus on other aspects of your business, all while having peace of mind that the technical side is handled by professionals. Enhanced security: With professional monitoring and management, your site benefits fFew readersHow do I configure Cloudflare for my site?
If you would like to configure Cloudflare on your site, feel free to contact us to discuss your specific needs. Once your needs have been defined, we will assist and advise you during the Cloudflare setup.Few readers