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To create a .htaccess file, open your hosting dashboard, launch File Manager, go to the directory where the rules should apply, and choose New File. Name it exactly .htaccess, including the leading dot. The file is optional, and this file-based method does not apply to AI Builder sites.
Create the file in File Manager
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Sign in to your hosting dashboard and open the dashboard for the website you want to update. Open File Manager from the sidebar.
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Navigate to the directory where the rules should take effect. For site-wide rules,
public_htmlis the usual website root. For rules intended only for a subfolder or subdomain, use that site’s or folder’s directory instead.Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
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Check whether
.htaccessalready exists in that directory. File Manager shows dotfiles by default. -
If there is no existing file, select New File, enter
.htaccessexactly, and click Create. The leading period is part of the filename; do not omit it. -
Add only the configuration your site needs, then save the file. Creating an empty file does not require adding a generic set of rules.
Choose the directory based on rule scope
A .htaccess file affects the directory where it is placed and, in typical Apache-compatible configurations, can apply to content beneath that directory. Place site-wide rules in the site root; use a narrower directory when the rules should apply only there. The usual site-root location is public_html, with directory-specific locations for subfolders and subdomains.
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Check whether this setup applies to your site
.htaccess is supported but optional on some web, cloud, and agency hosting plans. These instructions exclude AI Builder sites because they do not use this file-based structure. If your website uses AI Builder, these File Manager steps are not the way to configure it.
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Some web and cloud hosting uses LiteSpeed, an Apache alternative, with mod_rewrite enabled by default on those plans. That context makes some common rewrite configurations relevant, but it does not make every Apache directive suitable for every account or application.
If you use FTP or cannot see the file
FTP is another way to inspect website files. Dotfiles such as .htaccess may be hidden by an FTP client; in FileZilla, use Server → Force showing hidden files to reveal them. Check for an existing file before creating a new one so you do not overlook or accidentally replace current rules.
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Back up before editing existing rules
If the file already exists, make a backup copy before changing it. Incorrect edits to system files can cause website errors. Avoid pasting a configuration block unless you know it is intended for your site’s application and the task you are trying to accomplish.
WordPress rules are application-specific
A WordPress rewrite block is an example for WordPress, not a required or universal .htaccess template. Do not copy WordPress rules into a different kind of site merely because the file has the same name.
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