How to Launch the cPanel Terminal

Often you’ll find that various server admin tasks can be automated or completed faster when compiled into a series of command line instructions. Now, cPanel has made it easier to give you this kind of direct access to your server via cPanel Terminal.

cPanel creation is no longer unlimited. Learn more about cPanel Pricing Changes and related FAQs.

How to Launch a Terminal in cPanel

All you’ll need in order to proceed is access to your cPanel account, and a few minutes. We’ll provide a few helpful commands you can try once you’ve launched the terminal.

  1. Log into cPanel
  2. Select Terminal under Advanced
  3. Begin running commands when terminal page loads

Here are a few commands you can try to get started:

Change directory
cd name-of-directory
List contents of directory
ls -la
Rename or move a file
mv old-file.txt newfile.txt

A Warning About Using the Terminal

Some commands have the power to completely erase your account, so be very careful to only run commands you’re familiar with.

CM
Christopher Maiorana Content Writer II

Christopher Maiorana joined the InMotion community team in 2015 and regularly dispenses tips and tricks in the Support Center, Community Q&A, and the InMotion Hosting Blog.

More Articles by Christopher

2 Comments

  • When I clicked on Terminal for the first time it throws me out immediately with the following message:

    /bin/cagefs_enter.proxied does not have setuid enabled! at /usr/local/cpanel/Cpanel/Streamer/Shell.pm line 175
    Does anyone have a solution? Some people say to run a yum command, but that requires being in the terminal in the first place. I can't SSH putty too, and I suspect this error is the issue.
    • If you are hosted on our servers, I recommend contacting our Live Support team since this does not sound like typical behavior. This will allow them to test your specific account and server.
      Thank you,
      John-Paul

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