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Accessing your files

There are three ways to reach a site's files from the SuperSpace dashboard: the Cloud Shell web terminal, the web File Manager, and an SFTP/SSH connection from your own computer. All three reach the same WordPress files, so pick whichever fits the task.

Which one should I use?

  • Cloud Shell — a terminal in your browser, no setup. Good for running wp-cli commands or quick edits.
  • File Manager — a point-and-click file browser in your browser. Good for uploading, downloading, or editing a few files.
  • SFTP/SSH — connect from a desktop client like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or your terminal. Good for bulk transfers and working with tools you already use.

Before you start

  • A site that has finished provisioning and shows status ONLINE (not suspended). If you haven't created one yet, see Placing your first order.
  • Permission to edit the site. Credentials, Cloud Shell, and the File Manager are only available to users who can edit the site.

Where the buttons are

The credentials and the Cloud Shell button live on the site's Overview page, in the File Access card. The File Manager lives in the My Site menu in the sidebar.

  1. Open the site. In the sidebar, open My Sites, then choose the site you want to work with. You'll land on its Overview page.

  2. Find the File Access card. Scroll to the File Access card. It shows the connection details and two buttons: phpMyAdmin and Cloud Shell.1

  3. Open the file browser instead. In the sidebar, open the My Site menu and choose File Manager.

Option 1 — Cloud Shell (web terminal)

Cloud Shell gives you a command line in your browser, already logged in to your site. Nothing to install.

  1. Open the File Access card. On the Overview page, find the File Access card.

  2. Launch Cloud Shell. Click Cloud Shell. It opens in a new browser tab.

  3. Start working. You're dropped at a shell prompt with access to your WordPress files and wp-cli.

Warning

If the Cloud Shell button is greyed out or you see Not Enabled, your user doesn't have edit access to this site, or the site isn't fully active yet. Ask an account owner to grant access, or wait for provisioning to finish.

Option 2 — File Manager (web file browser)

The File Manager is a point-and-click view of your site's files, right inside the dashboard.

  1. Open the File Manager. In the sidebar, open the My Site menu and choose File Manager.

  2. Manage your files. The file browser loads in the page. Use its built-in controls to browse, upload, download, and edit files.

  3. Give it more room. To work in a full window, click Open in a new tab.

It opens in its own window

The File Manager is embedded in the page. If it doesn't load, the Open in a new tab link opens the same browser in a full window. An Error loading File Manager message means the site isn't ready yet — wait for it to finish provisioning and reload.

Option 3 — SFTP / SSH (from your computer)

SFTP and SSH let you connect from a desktop client or your own terminal, with full shell access and file transfer to your WordPress files.

Find the connection details in the File Access card on the Overview page:

Field Value
Host Shown in the card (an IP address)
Port Shown in the card — not the default port 22
Username sftpuser
Password Click the eye icon to reveal it, or the copy icon to copy it

The card also shows a ready-to-paste SSH Command you can copy directly:

ssh -p <port> sftpuser@<host>

Replace <port> and <host> with the values from the card (the copy button fills them in for you).

Use the port shown in the dashboard, not port 22

SFTP/SSH run on a non-standard port. The single most common connection failure is leaving the port at the default 22. Always use the Port value from the File Access card, and use password authentication.

  • Protocol: SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
  • Host: the Host from the card
  • Port: the Port from the card
  • Logon type: Normal (username + password)
  • User: sftpuser
  • Password: the Password from the card

Copy the SSH Command from the card and run it, then enter the password when prompted:

ssh -p <port> sftpuser@<host>

Once connected, wp-cli is available at the command line.

Passwords are shown on demand

Your SFTP/SSH password is fetched fresh from the hosting platform each time you open the card — it isn't emailed or stored anywhere you need to look it up. If you ever lose it, just come back to the File Access card.

Troubleshooting connections

  • Can't connect? Double-check you're using the Port from the card, not 22, and that you chose password (not key) authentication.
  • Buttons greyed out / Not Enabled? Your user needs edit access to the site, or the site is still provisioning.
  • File Manager won't load? Wait for the site to finish provisioning, then reload. If it persists, contact support.
  • Credentials show "..." or "Unauthorized"? The site isn't fully ready, or your user doesn't have permission to view credentials.

Next steps

  1. The phpMyAdmin button opens your database, not your files — see Accessing your database. ↩