If you’re hosting your website on Namecheap and want to access your files via SSH (Secure Shell), enabling SSH access is straightforward through cPanel. SSH provides secure remote access to your server, allowing you to manage files and execute commands more efficiently. In this guide, I’ll Walk you through the steps to enable SSH in Namecheap’s cPanel hosting.

Step 1: Log in to Your Namecheap Account
To begin, visit the Namecheap website and log in using your credentials. Once logged in, navigate to your Dashboard where you can see all your active services, including your hosting plan.

Step 2: Access Your cPanel
Under your Hosting List, click the Manage button next to the domain for which you want to enable SSH access. This will take you to a management page where you’ll find a quick link to cPanel. Click Go to cPanel to proceed.

Step 3: Locate the SSH Access Feature
Once in cPanel, scroll down to the Security section. Here, you should see an option called SSH Access. Click on it to enter the SSH management page.

Step 4: Generate an SSH Key
SSH access typically requires an SSH key for authentication. In the SSH Access section, you’ll have the option to manage SSH keys. Click Manage SSH Keys, then click Generate a New Key.

1. Key Name: Leave it as default or give your key a recognizable name.
2. Key Password: Choose a strong password to protect your SSH key.
3. Key Type: Keep it as RSA (the default option).
4. Key Size: 2048 bits is a secure option, though you can increase it for added security.

Click Generate Key to create your SSH key.

Step 5: Authorize the SSH Key
After generating the key, the next step is to authorize it. Scroll down to the list of generated keys, locate your new SSH key, and click Manage Authorization. Then, click Authorize to enable your key for SSH access.

Step 6: Connect to Your Server Using SSH
Now that your SSH key is authorized, you’re ready to connect to your server using an SSH client like PuTTY (for Windows) or the terminal on macOS/Linux.

1. Open your SSH client.
2. Use your domain or server IP as the host (e.g., example.com or 123.456.78.90).
3. The default port for SSH is 22.
4. Provide your username and SSH key.

Step 7: Enjoy Secure Access
Once connected, you’ll have full access to your server’s file system and command line. From here, you can manage your files, deploy updates, and configure your server securely and efficiently.

For a detailed visual guide, check out this YouTube video, which complements the steps outlined above:
How to Enable SSH in cPanel – Namecheap Hosting

By following these steps, you’ll have SSH shell access enabled on your Namecheap-hosted website in no time! Whether you’re performing routine server maintenance or deploying a complex update, SSH provides a secure and powerful way to manage your hosting environment.

Let me know if you have any questions or run into any issues during the process!