> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.breezehost.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Plesk Control Panel Guide
> Master Plesk panel features: websites, databases, email, cron jobs, and more
# Plesk Control Panel Guide
Plesk is your central control hub for web hosting. This comprehensive guide covers all major features and how to use them effectively.
## Dashboard Overview
When you log into Plesk, the dashboard shows your account status at a glance:
* **Resource Usage**: Disk space and bandwidth used
* **Plan Information**: Your current plan and expiration date
* **Quick Actions**: Common tasks like installing WordPress
* **Account Statistics**: Uptime, traffic, and performance
* **Recent Activity**: Changes made to your account
## Websites & Domains
This is where you manage your websites and domains.
### Managing Your Main Domain
Your main domain is configured automatically but can be customized:
Click "Websites & Domains" in the main menu
Click on your primary domain to open its settings
* **Document Root**: Folder where your website files go (usually /httpdocs)
* **PHP Version**: Select your preferred PHP version (5.6 to 8.3)
* **SSL**: Enable HTTPS and manage certificates
Click "OK" to apply changes
### Adding Additional Domains
Host multiple websites on one account:
In Websites & Domains, click "Add Domain"
* **Domain Name**: Your domain (e.g., example2.com)
* **Domain Type**: Select "Addon domain" for a separate site
* **Document Root**: Create a new folder for this site's files
Update your registrar to point the domain to your server IP
Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours)
### Subdomains
Create subdomains for different sections:
1. Go to your domain settings
2. Click "Subdomains"
3. Click "Add Subdomain"
4. Enter subdomain name (e.g., "blog" for blog.example.com)
5. Choose document root or use same folder as parent
### Domain Aliases
Point multiple domains to the same website without creating separate folders:
1. Select your primary domain
2. Click "Domain Aliases"
3. Click "Add Alias"
4. Enter the domain name
5. Point your registrar's DNS to your server IP
Domain aliases are perfect for www versions and related domain names (e.g., example.com, [www.example.com](http://www.example.com), example.net all pointing to same site).
## File Manager
Upload and manage your website files directly in Plesk.
### Accessing File Manager
1. Go to Websites & Domains
2. Select your domain
3. Click "File Manager"
### File Manager Interface
| Action | How To |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Upload files** | Drag and drop files or click "Upload" button |
| **Create folder** | Right-click, select "Create Folder" |
| **Edit files** | Right-click file, select "Edit" |
| **Delete** | Select file/folder and press Delete |
| **Rename** | Right-click and select "Rename" |
| **Set permissions** | Right-click, select "Permissions" |
| **Download** | Right-click and select "Download" |
### Important Directories
| Folder | Purpose |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **/httpdocs** | Main website files (index.html, WordPress, etc.) |
| **/httpsdocs** | HTTPS-specific files (usually empty, uses httpdocs) |
| **/webmail** | Email webmail files |
| **/.well-known** | SSL certificates and site verification |
| **/logs** | Website access and error logs |
Only edit files in /httpdocs unless you know what you're doing. Modifying other directories can break your website.
## Databases
Most modern websites need databases for content storage.
### Creating a Database
In Plesk, click "Databases"
Click "Add Database"
Select MySQL (most common) or PostgreSQL
* **Database Name**: Name for your database (e.g., wordpress\_db)
* **Type**: MySQL or PostgreSQL
* **Character Set**: UTF-8 (default, recommended)
* **Username**: Database login (separate from Plesk username)
* **Password**: Strong database password
* **Permissions**: Usually "Full" for the database owner
Click "OK" to create
### Managing Databases
**phpMyAdmin (MySQL):**
1. Go to Databases
2. Click your MySQL database
3. Click "Open phpMyAdmin"
4. Browse, edit, and backup your database
**pgAdmin (PostgreSQL):**
1. Go to Databases
2. Click your PostgreSQL database
3. Click "Open pgAdmin"
4. Manage your PostgreSQL database
### Database Backups
Backup your database regularly:
1. Go to Databases
2. Click your database
3. Click "Download Backup"
4. Your database downloads as a .sql file
Backup important databases at least weekly. Store backups outside your hosting account.
## Scheduled Tasks (Cron Jobs)
Automate tasks like backups, data cleanup, or emails.
### Creating Cron Jobs
Click "Tools & Settings" in the main menu
Under "General", click "Scheduled Tasks" or "Cron Jobs"
Click "Add Scheduled Task" or "New Task"
* **Type**: Usually "Run a PHP script" or "Run a command"
* **Script/Command**: The PHP file or command to run
* **Schedule**: When to run (hourly, daily, weekly, custom)
Choose specific times/days if desired
Click OK
### Common Cron Uses
| Task | Example |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Database Backup** | Run `backup.php` daily at 2 AM |
| **Cache Clearing** | Clear cache files every 12 hours |
| **Report Generation** | Generate reports weekly on Mondays |
| **Link Cleanup** | Remove broken links monthly |
| **Email Digest** | Send newsletter every Friday |
### Cron Schedule Syntax
Standard cron format:
```
Minute (0-59) Hour (0-23) Day (1-31) Month (1-12) Weekday (0-6)
```
Examples:
* `0 2 * * *` = Every day at 2:00 AM
* `0 0 * * 0` = Every Sunday at midnight
* `*/30 * * * *` = Every 30 minutes
* `0 9 1 * *` = First day of every month at 9 AM
## Logs and Statistics
Monitor your website's performance and traffic.
### Access Statistics
View detailed traffic information:
1. Go to Websites & Domains
2. Select your domain
3. Click "Statistics" or "View Statistics"
4. See:
* **Bandwidth Usage**: Data transferred
* **Visits**: Number of page views
* **Unique Visitors**: How many different people visited
* **Search Engines**: SEO traffic sources
* **User Agents**: Browser and device information
### Web Server Logs
Raw server logs for advanced debugging:
1. Go to Websites & Domains
2. Select your domain
3. Click "Logs"
4. View:
* **Access Log**: Every request to your website
* **Error Log**: Errors and warnings
* **SSL Log**: HTTPS-related messages
Use logs to debug issues, find broken links, or analyze visitor patterns.
### Error Log Monitoring
Monitor your website's error log regularly:
1. Go to Logs
2. Check error.log periodically
3. Look for repeated errors or warnings
4. Fix issues before they impact users
Common errors to watch for:
* 404 (page not found) — broken internal links
* 500 (internal server error) — code issues
* Memory exhausted — too many plugins or heavy scripts
* Database connection errors — credentials or connection issues
## Account Administration
Manage your Plesk account settings and security.
### Change Password
1. Click your username (top-right)
2. Select "Account" or "Change Password"
3. Enter current password
4. Create new secure password
5. Save
### Two-Factor Authentication
Protect your account with 2FA:
1. Go to Account settings
2. Enable "Two-Factor Authentication"
3. Follow the setup process (usually scanning a QR code)
4. Save backup codes in a safe place
5. You'll now need a code from your authenticator app to log in
### IP Restrictions
Limit Plesk access to specific IP addresses:
1. Go to Tools & Settings
2. Find "IP Address Restrictions"
3. Add your home/office IP addresses
4. Only those IPs can access Plesk
## Resource Monitoring
Track your account's resource usage:
| Resource | Monitor |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Disk Space** | Used vs. plan limit (usually shown on dashboard) |
| **Databases** | Number of databases and size |
| **Subdomains** | Count of addon domains and subdomains |
| **Bandwidth** | Monthly data transfer vs. limit |
Most limits are shown on the main dashboard. Contact support if approaching limits.
Regularly clean up old databases, emails, and files to stay within plan limits.
## Security Features
### SSL Certificates
Protect your website with HTTPS:
**Automatic Let's Encrypt (Free):**
1. Go to Websites & Domains
2. Select your domain
3. Click "SSL/TLS Certificates"
4. Click "Get Let's Encrypt Certificate"
5. Plesk automatically installs and renews it
**Custom Certificates:**
1. Purchase a certificate from a Certificate Authority
2. Go to SSL/TLS Certificates
3. Upload certificate, key, and CA bundle
4. Plesk installs your custom certificate
### Firewall Protection
Plesk includes a Web Application Firewall (WAF) that blocks common attacks. Some plans include premium firewall features.
### Regular Backups
Enable automatic backups in your hosting plan. Critical files to backup:
* Website files in /httpdocs
* Databases
* Configuration files
## Performance Optimization
### PHP Version
Update to the latest PHP for better performance and security:
1. Go to Websites & Domains
2. Click your domain
3. Look for "PHP Settings" or "PHP Version"
4. Select the latest stable version (8.3 if available)
5. Test your site for compatibility
Some older applications may not support the latest PHP. Test before switching versions.
### Caching
Enable caching to speed up your website:
**In Plesk:**
* Look for "Caching" or "Performance" options
* Enable module caching if available
**In WordPress:**
* Install a caching plugin (WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache)
* Configure cache settings for best performance
### Database Optimization
Keep your database fast:
1. In phpMyAdmin/pgAdmin, optimize tables regularly
2. Remove unused data and logs
3. Delete old revisions in WordPress
## Troubleshooting
### Website Showing Error
**500 Internal Server Error:**
1. Check error log in Websites & Domains
2. Review PHP error logs
3. Verify database connection
4. Check file permissions
5. Increase PHP memory limit if needed
**404 Page Not Found:**
1. Verify file exists in File Manager
2. Check filename spelling and case sensitivity
3. Ensure index.html or index.php exists in directory
4. Verify document root is correct
### Slow Website
1. Check Resource Statistics for high usage
2. Review error logs for problems
3. Optimize images and files
4. Update to latest PHP version
5. Enable caching
6. Consider upgrading plan if consistently near resource limits
## Next Steps
Upload files, install WordPress, or deploy applications
Configure SSL certificates and manage your domains
Return to the getting started guide for account setup