> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.mochahost.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to use SSH and WP-CLI from the command line on Mochahost Managed WordPress

> Learn how to use SSH to run the WP-CLI tool from the command line directly on Mochahost Managed WordPress.

If you have never used the command-line interface or WP-CLI before, this guide is for you.

WP-CLI is a powerful way to manage WordPress and plugins. From the command-line interface, there is no such thing as a timeout, and you can import long files, clear the cache, back up your website, and much more!

<Check>
  Tip

  * Before you use WP-CLI, please read the release announcement at the [Rocket.net blog](https://rocket.net/blog/introducing-web-based-wp-cli-terminal-for-managed-wordpress-hosting/) for an overview and some basic information about how to use it.
  * You can also run WP-CLI directly from the Mochahost Dashboard without having to set up SSH. For information about how to do this, go to [Using WP-CLI in the Mochahost Dashboard](https://kb.mochahost.com/docs/using-wp-cli-in-the-mochahost-dashboard).
</Check>

# Step 1: Generate an SSH key pair

To access WP-CLI from the command line, you must first create an SSH key pair for your account. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open your system’s terminal or command-line tool:
   * Microsoft Windows: Use **Command Prompt** or **PowerShell**.
   * Apple macOS and Linux: Use **Terminal**.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command:\
   `ssh-keygen -t rsa`
3. When prompted:
   i. Press **Enter** to accept the default location (usually \~/.ssh/id\_rsa or similar).
   ii. Leave the passphrase empty.
4. After the key pair is generated, to view and copy your public key type:\
   `more .ssh/id_rsa.pub`\
   You will need the public key in the next procedure.

# Step 2: Add the public key in the Mochahost Dashboard

To add your public key in the Mochahost Dashboard, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Hosting Panel at [https://clients.mochahost.com](https://clients.mochahost.com).
2. In the left sidebar, click **Managed WordPress**:

   ![](https://files.readme.io/e8e4c53ab66c21bcde25a762e8511998fc36deba9a73aa15fd82c73fdc04f10b-image.png)
3. On the **My Websites** page, locate the site for which you want to enable SSH, and then click **Manage**:

   ![](https://files.readme.io/063d0d72d8c20344f46bdb39a5f24520a57745d5d9dbfcc82315ea32b93912b0-image.png)
4. On the Mochahost dashboard, click the **Advanced** icon:

   ![](https://files.readme.io/0c48ad5e58cf1772c23c5797104f0be9b1e71442a21de7ccfbd3e51400780938-image.png)
5. In the **Advanced Settings** section, click the **SSH Access** slider if it is not already enabled:

   ![](https://files.readme.io/ee070d0e5a7f3914099b7286fbceae232527cf2688caf4b2c59e7b4f85f8a487-image.png)
6. Scroll down to the **SSH Keys** section, and then click **Import New Key**:

   ![](https://files.readme.io/ccbfa3e1433973c2c8d2b7cc5d9fab1f1870a6b19906917d6cf2531c1569d49d-image.png)
7. In the **Import New Key** dialog box: In the **Key Name** text box, type a descriptive name for the key.

   ![](https://files.readme.io/8d807489730091251ceca05dc2c2e2858c65d27025153275a3db4cfdfa6df6d4-image.png)
8. In the **Key Passphrase** text box, type the passphrase for the key. If you did not create a key passphrase, leave it blank.
9. In the **Key** text box, paste the public key.
10. Click **Import**.
11. After importing the key, activate it by clicking the checkmark next to it so it is allowed to access SSH.

# Step 3: Connect to the server and run WP-CLI

You're ready to connect to the server and run WP-CLI. To do this, you need your SSH username and server IP address.

<Check>
  Tip
  You can find the SSH username and server IP address on the **General** tab in the **Site Information** section, just above the **FTP Accounts** section.

  ![](https://files.readme.io/3e2d593de0ef70c0cc6ef6815eef88848582f8dd601a87a55bbb0276cd6c4e6c-image.png)
</Check>

When you have the username and IP address, go back to your terminal and then type the following command. Replace sshusername and IPaddress with the correct values for your account:

`ssh sshusername@IPaddress`

<Info>
  Note
  If this is your first time connecting, you may receive a warning message. Type `y` and press Enter.
</Info>

You are now at the command prompt. Type the following command to go to the public\_html directory:\
`cd public_html`

You can now run WP-CLI commands. For example, you can purge the cache:\
`wp cache flush`

You can purge the CDN cache:\
`wp cdn purge`

You can view your current domain:\
`wp option get home`

<Check>
  Tip
  For more information about WP-CLI and its various commands, go to the [WP CLI documentation](https://developer.wordpress.org/cli/commands/).
</Check>

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