Enable SSH access and use the SSH Terminal in Plesk

SSH gives you a command line on the server: run Composer or WP-CLI, import large databases, use Git or inspect logs quickly. Plesk lets each subscription have SSH access with a restricted (chrooted) shell, and includes a browser-based SSH Terminal so you do not even need a separate client.

Before you start

• Your service plan must allow SSH access. Customers who do not see the option should ask their provider.
• An SSH client if you want to connect from your computer: the built-in ssh command on Windows, macOS and Linux, or PuTTY.

Enable SSH for the subscription

1. Log in to Plesk and go to Websites & Domains.
2. Under the domain, open Hosting & DNS → Hosting (or Web Hosting Access).
3. Find Access to the server over SSH.
4. Choose a shell:
   • /bin/bash (chrooted) – recommended. You see only your subscription's files and a limited set of tools.
   • /bin/bash – full shell. Usually reserved for trusted administrators.
   • Forbidden – SSH disabled.
5. Check the Username of the system user and set its password if needed.
6. Click OK.

Add an SSH key

Keys are safer than passwords. Generate a key pair on your computer:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "me@laptop"

Then add the public key (the .pub file) in Plesk: install the free SSH Keys Manager extension (administrators: Extensions → Extensions Catalog), open it from the domain's dashboard and click Add Key. Alternatively, put the key in ~/.ssh/authorized_keys of the system user with permissions 600.

Use the browser SSH Terminal

Click SSH Terminal on the domain's dashboard (customers) or under Tools & Settings → SSH Terminal (administrators, root shell). A terminal opens in the browser, already logged in as the subscription user. It is ideal for quick commands, but long jobs are better run from a real client inside screen or tmux.

Connect from your computer

ssh username@example.com

Use the system user name from hosting settings. If the administrator moved SSH to another port, add -p 2222. On the first connection, confirm the server fingerprint.

Useful commands in Plesk

• cd httpdocs – go to the website folder.
• wp plugin list – WP-CLI, if available in the chroot.
• /opt/plesk/php/8.3/bin/php -v – use a specific Plesk PHP version.
• composer install – install PHP dependencies.

Troubleshooting

• Permission denied (publickey,password): wrong user or password, or SSH is set to Forbidden.
• Connection refused or timed out: a firewall blocks port 22 or SSH listens on another port. Ask your administrator.
• Command not found in chroot: the chrooted environment includes only a few binaries. Administrators can add programs to the chroot template, or grant a full shell.
• Blocked after failed logins: Fail2Ban banned your IP; see Fail2Ban in Plesk.

Next steps

• Deploy from Git in Plesk.
• Common Plesk CLI commands.
• SSH basics.