FileZilla SSH Access

FileZilla SSH Access

Transfer files to and from your server using FileZilla over a secure SFTP connection.

FileZilla is a popular, free FTP client that supports SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). Since FlyWP servers have password authentication disabled, you must use SSH key-based authentication to connect. This guide walks you through the setup.

Prerequisites

Before connecting, make sure you have:

• FileZilla installed on your computer (download from filezilla-project.org)
• An SSH key pair — the same private key whose public counterpart is added to your server in FlyWP
• Your server’s IP address, visible on the server detail page in FlyWP

Connecting to Your Server

1. Open FileZilla and go to File > Site Manager (or press Ctrl+S / Cmd+S).
2. Click New Site and give it a name (e.g., “My FlyWP Server”).
3. Configure the connection settings:

Setting	Value
Protocol	SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
Host	Your server’s IP address
Port	22
Logon Type	Key file
User	fly
Key file	Path to your private key (e.g., ~/.ssh/id_ed25519)

4. Click Connect.

FileZilla will establish an encrypted SFTP session using your SSH key. You should see the remote file system on the right side of the FileZilla window.

Note

If FileZilla prompts you to convert your key to a supported format (.ppk), click Yes to allow the conversion. FileZilla uses PuTTY-style keys internally and will save the converted version alongside your original key.

Navigating the File System

Once connected as the fly user, you land in the /home/fly directory. Important paths include:

Path	Description
/home/fly/	Home directory for the fly user
/home/fly/.docker/	Docker configuration files

Since FlyWP runs each site inside a Docker container, site files are not directly accessible at a simple path on the host. To manage individual site files, use per-site SFTP accounts instead.

Per-Site SFTP Access

FlyWP can create dedicated SFTP accounts scoped to a specific site. These accounts drop you directly into the site’s file directory, making it easy to upload themes, plugins, or media files.

Per-site SFTP credentials support two authentication methods:

• Password — a username and password generated by FlyWP
• SSH key — the same key-based approach used for the server-level fly user

To set up per-site SFTP access, go to your site’s detail page and look for the SFTP settings. See the SFTP Access page for full instructions.

Tip

Per-site SFTP accounts are the recommended way to manage WordPress files. They limit access to only the relevant site directory, reducing the risk of accidentally modifying files belonging to another site or the server itself.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Connection refused	Verify port 22 is open in your server’s Firewall rules
Authentication failed	Confirm the public key matching your private key is added in FlyWP under SSH Keys
Key format not supported	Allow FileZilla to convert your key to .ppk format when prompted
Connection timed out	Check that your IP is not blocked by a restrictive firewall rule

Never share your private SSH key file. If you suspect your key has been compromised, remove it from the server immediately via the FlyWP dashboard and generate a new key pair.

Related Pages

• SSH Keys
• SFTP Access
• Whitelisting IP for SSH
• Firewall Rules