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Setting up custom .htaccess files for PHP settings

The .htaccess file is a configuration file used by Apache web servers to override default settings. On ruachost.com, you can use .htaccess files to customize PHP directives without editing the global php.ini.

Why Use .htaccess for PHP Settings?

Section titled “Why Use .htaccess for PHP Settings?”
  • Apply PHP configuration changes per directory.
  • Override default limits (memory, upload size, execution time).
  • Enable or disable specific PHP features.
  • Useful when you don’t have direct access to the server’s global php.ini.

Steps to Create a Custom .htaccess File

Section titled “Steps to Create a Custom .htaccess File”

Step 1: Access Your Hosting Account

Section titled “Step 1: Access Your Hosting Account”
  • Log in to cPanel or use FTP/File Manager.
  • Navigate to the directory where you want to apply custom PHP settings (e.g., /public_html).

Step 2: Create or Edit .htaccess

Section titled “Step 2: Create or Edit .htaccess”
  1. If .htaccess already exists, open it for editing.
  2. If not, create a new file named .htaccess.

Step 3: Add PHP Directives

Section titled “Step 3: Add PHP Directives”

Insert the desired PHP settings using php_value or php_flag. Examples:

# Increase memory limit
php_value memory_limit 256M


# Increase maximum upload size
php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
php_value post_max_size 64M


# Increase script execution time
php_value max_execution_time 120


# Enable error display (development only)
php_flag display_errors On


# Disable error display (production)
php_flag display_errors Off

Step 4: Save and Test

Section titled “Step 4: Save and Test”

  • Save the .htaccess file.

  • Create a test file info.php with:

    <?php phpinfo(); ?>

  • Load it in your browser to confirm the new settings.

  • Delete the test file afterward for security.