SSH (Secure Shell) gives you a command line on your hosting account, so you can work with files, logs and databases faster than through a control panel. Getting started on Domain India takes four steps: ask support to switch SSH on, create an SSH key, find your login details, and connect. This page is the quick start; the full guide has every detail.
For PuTTY settings, troubleshooting and what the jailed shell allows, see Enabling and accessing jailed SSH on Domain India hosting.
Jailed SSH access is available on every shared hosting plan (cPanel, DirectAdmin, Webuzo). It is off by default; ask support to enable it for your account. Log in with an SSH key, not a password, on port 22, using your control panel username. Windows (Plesk) hosting has no SSH.
1. Check that SSH is available for your hosting
| Hosting type | SSH | Port |
|---|---|---|
| cPanel shared hosting | Jailed shell, off by default, enabled on request | 22 |
| DirectAdmin shared hosting | Jailed shell, off by default, enabled on request | 22 |
| Webuzo shared hosting | Jailed shell, off by default, enabled on request | 22 |
| Windows (Plesk) hosting | Not available | 22 is closed |
A jailed (restricted) shell works only inside your own account. There is no root access or sudo, and tools available inside the jailed shell vary, so ask support if you need a particular one.
2. Four steps to your first login
- Ask support to enable SSH.Use 24/7 live chat or open a ticket at /client/support/new. Give your domain and say what you need SSH for. There is nothing to buy.
- Create an SSH key.Password login over SSH is switched off on our cPanel and DirectAdmin servers, and you should use a key on Webuzo too. Run
ssh-keygen -t ed25519on your computer and set a passphrase. The step-by-step guide for Windows, macOS and Linux is how to generate SSH keys. - Add the public key to your account.In cPanel, open Security › SSH Access › Manage SSH Keys, import the key, then click Manage and Authorize it. On DirectAdmin or Webuzo, put it in
.ssh/authorized_keysin your home folder, or send the public key to support. - Connect.Your username and server IP are on the Access tab: open /client/services/hosting, click Manage and open Access. Then run the command below.
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 -p 22 [email protected]This works in Terminal on macOS and Linux and in PowerShell or Windows Terminal on Windows 10 and 11. The first time, type yes to trust the server. If your key has a passphrase, SSH asks for it; that is the key's passphrase, not your panel password. Use your server IP instead of your domain if the domain does not point to Domain India yet.
3. Your first commands
Start with commands that only look, not change:
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| pwd | Shows which folder you are in |
| ls -la | Lists files, including hidden ones such as .htaccess |
| cd public_html | Moves into your website folder on cPanel |
| du -sh * | Shows how much space each folder uses |
| tail -n 50 error_log | Shows the last 50 lines of a PHP error log |
| exit | Ends the session |
For a longer, safe list of everyday commands, and a warning about rm, see how to log in using SSH and essential Linux commands.
4. Common first-time problems
- Permission denied (publickey): the key is not added or, on cPanel, not authorised. SSH will not accept your panel password.
- Connection refused or timed out: check the host and port 22. Port 2222 is the DirectAdmin panel, not SSH.
- Connection closes straight after login: SSH is not enabled for the account yet; ask support.
- Everything stops loading for you: repeated failed logins can block your IP. See have I been blocked?.
5. Where SSH fits at Domain India
Jailed SSH suits site owners and developers who want a command line next to the control panel. Prices on the card are live and exclude 18% GST.
- 25 GB NVMe SSD Storage
- 50 GB Monthly Bandwidth
- 1 Website
- 10 Email Accounts
For root access and your own packages, choose a VPS. For always-on Node.js or Python apps without managing a server, see the App Platform.
Does Domain India hosting come with SSH access?
Jailed SSH access is available on every shared hosting plan (cPanel, DirectAdmin, Webuzo). It is off by default; ask support by live chat or a ticket to enable it for your account. Windows (Plesk) hosting has no SSH.
What do I need to connect with SSH?
SSH enabled on your account, an SSH key pair with the public key added to the account, your control panel username, and your domain or server IP. The port is 22.
Can I use my cPanel password for SSH?
No. Password login over SSH is switched off on our cPanel and DirectAdmin servers. Use an SSH key.
Which SSH program should I use on Windows?
Windows 10 and 11 include the ssh command in PowerShell and Windows Terminal. PuTTY also works, with your key in PuTTY's .ppk format.
Is SSH on shared hosting a root login?
No. It is a jailed shell limited to your own account. For root access, use a Domain India VPS.
Ready to start? Ask support to enable SSH by opening a ticket or on live chat, then generate your SSH key.
Tell us your domain and what you need SSH for. Support switches on jailed SSH for your account and confirms when it is ready.
Ask support to enable it