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Using skeleton files for customer account default content

When you create new customer accounts in WebHost Manager (WHM), their public_html and public_ftp directories are empty by default. Without an index file, visitors see a 403 Forbidden error. To avoid this, you can use skeleton files to automatically provide default content for every new account.

Why Use Skeleton Files?

Section titled “Why Use Skeleton Files?”
  • Provide a welcome page for new accounts.
  • Ensure visitors see a friendly message instead of an error.
  • Save time by automatically copying default files into each new account.
  • Maintain consistent branding across customer sites.

Setting Up Skeleton Files

Section titled “Setting Up Skeleton Files”

1. Locate the Skeleton Directory

Section titled “1. Locate the Skeleton Directory”

  • Log in to your reseller cPanel account.

  • Navigate to the File Manager.

  • In the file listing pane, open the directory:

    /cpanel3-skel/

  • Inside, you’ll find two subdirectories:

    • public_html → Files placed here are copied into the public_html directory of new accounts.
    • public_ftp → Files placed here are copied into the public_ftp directory of new accounts.

2. Add Default Content

Section titled “2. Add Default Content”

  • Place an index.html file in the public_html directory. Example content:

    <html>
      <head><title>Welcome!</title></head>
      <body>
        <h1>Your site is working, but no content has been added yet.</h1>
      </body>
    </html>

  • Add any FTP instructions or placeholder files in public_ftp if needed.

3. Create a New Account

Section titled “3. Create a New Account”
  • Log in to WHM.
  • Create a new hosting account.
  • The files you placed in /cpanel3-skel/public_html and /cpanel3-skel/public_ftp will automatically appear in the new account’s directories.