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You might already know that besides managing basic files, Commander One can also work with FTP, FTPS, and SFTP servers. Initially designed as a dual-panel file manager, it is suitable for working with FTP file structures.
Refer to how to edit .htaccess, robots.txt, and website configuration files on Mac using Commander One in the article below by Mytour.
Download and Install Commander One on Mac: Download Commander One
What is the .htaccess file? How to edit the .htaccess file
The .htaccess file stands for Hypertext access file, a configuration file supported by most web servers, regulating website access, handling URL redirections, shortening URLs, controlling security access, etc. Basically, the .htaccess file is quite crucial, so it is set to be hidden to prevent accidental deletion or damage by users.
The simplest and most effective way to edit and manage the .htaccess file on a web server is to use an FTP client that can display hidden files. Fortunately, Commander One, the best FTP client for Mac, can show hidden files on the toolbar.
To edit the .htaccess file, first, ensure your web server supports FTP connection. Then navigate to Commander One => Go => menu Connect to Server..., or use the Connections Manager button in the right panel of the Commander One main window.
Next, choose the protocol supported by your server: FTP, FTPS, or SFTP, and establish the connection using login information.
Once the connection is established, you will see your online server listed in the drives within the Commander One window. Select your server from either of the control panels to view the file structure of the website.
The .htaccess file is a directory-level file, meaning it is located in each folder on your server to regulate access rights to all locations. To view the file, choose the Show Hidden Files option on the Commander One toolbar.
Afterward, select the file, copy it to your Mac, and press F4 key on the keyboard. Alternatively, navigate to File => Menu Edit. The file will open in the default text editor set on the system. After making the necessary edits, save the .htaccess file and drag it into the control panel where the server is open.
Edit the robots.txt file
Web developers are all aware of the necessity of the robots.txt file, which regulates the access of information gathering tools of search engines and web robots into the data on the website. And each developer will have their own methods to edit and manage this file on servers.
To edit the robots.txt file on your website, just establish an FTP connection with the server, using the new Connections Manager in Commander One:
Once the connection is established, your web server will be accessible in the selection within the Commander One window. The robots.txt file is located in the root directory of the file structure. Copy the file to your Mac, open it by pressing the F4 key on the keyboard or navigating to File Commander One =>Menu Edit.
Make necessary edits in the default text editor for TXT files and save the file. Afterwards, upload the file to the server by dragging and dropping it.
Here is how to edit .htaccess, robots.txt, and website configuration files on Mac. This method enables you to edit any files on the web and FTP server more conveniently. Furthermore, Commander One has the capability to manage storage, access data stored on cloud services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Amazon S3. It can also connect iOS and Android devices as well as MTP devices with Mac and access WebDAV servers.
In addition to editing .htaccess and robots.txt files, the hosts file is also noteworthy and can assist users in various tasks, such as accessing Facebook when blocked. If you are unfamiliar with this process, Mytour has a guide on how to edit the hosts file on Mac to help you. Best of luck!
