.htaccess Generator

An .htaccess file is a directory-level configuration file supported by several web servers, most notably Apache. It allows for decentralized management of web server configuration. You can use it to set up redirects, rewrite URLs, control access to resources, set caching policies, and more.

Copy the generated rules into a plain text file named .htaccess (note the dot at the beginning). Upload this file to the root directory of your website (often the public_html or www folder). The server will automatically detect and apply the rules. Always make a backup of your existing .htaccess file before overwriting it.

These rules are based on common best practices. However, every server environment is different. Incorrect .htaccess rules can cause errors or make your site inaccessible. Always test the rules on a staging or development server before deploying to a live production environment.

Redirect is a simple directive for redirecting one URL to another, typically with a 301 or 302 status code. RewriteRule is part of the more powerful mod_rewrite engine and allows for complex pattern matching and conditional rules to internally or externally redirect URLs.

The "Deny Access to Sensitive Files" option in the Security section includes a rule to block web access to wp-config.php, along with other common sensitive files, which is a crucial security measure for WordPress sites.

While Apache must read the .htaccess file on every request, the performance impact of well-written rules is generally negligible for most websites. Caching rules can actually speed up your site for repeat visitors. For very high-traffic sites, moving rules to the main server config (httpd.conf) can offer a slight performance boost.