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For Bluehost Agency hosting, use SFTP to transfer website files and SSH to open a command line. The connection details are ssh.atomicsites.net on port 22; first create an SSH/SFTP user for the specific website in the Bluehost Portal. These settings are specific to Bluehost Agency and may not work with another host or hosting plan.
Bluehost’s Agency workflow uses SSH/SFTP instead of cPanel File Manager, and it does not support regular FTP. Check Bluehost’s current connection instructions if the Portal labels or settings have changed.
At a glance: connection settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Host | ssh.atomicsites.net |
| Port | 22 |
| Username | The SSH/SFTP username you created for the website |
| File-transfer protocol | SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol |
| Authentication | Password, SSH key, or both, according to the user’s configuration |
| Documented remote file area | ~/htdocs |
These are Bluehost Agency values, not universal hosting settings. Do not substitute your domain name for the host unless Bluehost specifically tells you to.
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| Use | Best for | Typical client |
|---|---|---|
| SFTP | Uploading, downloading, renaming, and managing files in a visual file browser | FileZilla Client or another SFTP client |
| SSH | Running shell commands, WP-CLI, diagnostics, or scripted tasks | Terminal/OpenSSH or PuTTY on Windows |
SFTP and SSH both use the SSH connection on this hosting environment, but they do different jobs. In FileZilla, select SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol, not ordinary FTP or FTP over TLS. Bluehost Agency does not support regular FTP.
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Before connecting: create an SSH/SFTP user
SSH/SFTP credentials are not created automatically. Create a user for each Agency website you want to access:
- Sign in to the Bluehost Portal.
- Open Websites and select Manage beside the correct website.
- Open the SSH/SFTP tab and choose Add SSH User.
- Choose whether to enable password login, an SSH key, or both.
- Create the user and keep its username and credentials secure.
The SSH username is separate from your Bluehost account email. Usernames must be unique across the server, so a name already used for another Agency website may be unavailable. Confirm that you have selected the intended website before creating the account. See Bluehost’s SSH/SFTP user setup instructions.
Password or SSH key?
Password login is a straightforward option if it is enabled for the user. An SSH key is often preferable for regular or automated access because it avoids repeatedly entering an account password; keep the private key secure and never share it casually. Bluehost supports password login, an SSH key, or both, but the exact client setup depends on which method you enabled. If you have only configured key authentication, a password prompt alone will not make the connection work.
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Connect with FileZilla for file transfers
Download FileZilla Client from its official site; the basic SFTP workflow does not require FileZilla Pro.
Quickconnect
- Open FileZilla Client and use the Quickconnect fields.
- Enter
ssh.atomicsites.netas the host, your Bluehost SSH/SFTP username, the configured password, and port22. - Make sure the connection is SFTP. If the client tries ordinary FTP, cancel and change the protocol before connecting.
- Select Quickconnect and review the connection log if it fails.
After a successful login, the remote pane should show the permitted file area; Bluehost documents ~/htdocs as the starting location. The left pane is local and the right pane is remote. Drag files between panes to transfer them, and verify the destination path before overwriting or deleting anything.
Save the connection in Site Manager
- Open File → Site Manager (Bluehost’s instructions also give Ctrl+S), then select New Site.
- Set the protocol to SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol.
- Enter host
ssh.atomicsites.net, port22, and the SSH/SFTP username. - Choose an authentication option appropriate to your account. Asking for a password avoids saving it in the client; a saved-password option is more convenient but stores credentials locally.
- Save the site or connect.
Do not choose standard FTP. SFTP is the required file-transfer protocol for this Bluehost Agency connection.
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Connect with SSH in a terminal
On macOS, Linux, or a Windows system with OpenSSH available, run:
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ssh [email protected] -p 22Replace YOUR_SSH_USERNAME with the user created in the Portal. Since port 22 is the default SSH port, this shorter command usually works too:
ssh [email protected]Enter the configured password if prompted, or authenticate with the matching key. Terminal password input is normally invisible: no characters or dots appear as you type. Type it carefully and press Enter. A successful login opens a shell for the connected website, which Bluehost says can be used for Bash and WP-CLI tasks. The OpenSSH ssh manual documents the client and its options.
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Windows with PuTTY
- Download PuTTY from its official project page.
- In Session, enter
ssh.atomicsites.netfor Host Name,22for Port, and select SSH as the connection type. - Optionally enter a saved-session name such as
Bluehost Agency, select Save, then select Open. - At the terminal prompt, enter your Bluehost SSH username and then the configured password, if using password authentication.
PuTTY’s current version can change; use the official download page rather than relying on an old version number.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use SFTP from the command line
For terminal-based file transfers, connect with:
sftp -P 22 [email protected]Note the uppercase -P for the port in the OpenSSH sftp client; the ssh command uses lowercase -p. Once connected, these are useful basics:
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ls # List remote files
cd DIRECTORY # Change remote directory
lcd DIRECTORY # Change local directory
put FILE # Upload a file
get FILE # Download a file
mkdir DIRECTORY # Create a remote directory
rename OLD NEW # Rename a remote file
rm FILE # Delete a remote file
exit # Close the SFTP sessionConfirm the remote location with pwd and inspect it with ls before using destructive commands such as rm. The OpenSSH sftp manual covers additional options.
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Understand the directory and permission limits
Bluehost documents ~/htdocs as the remote file area. If it is not immediately visible, confirm that you logged in with the user created for the intended website and inspect your current directory. Access is not necessarily access to every server path: Bluehost notes that some directories are server-owned and cannot be edited or deleted.
A “permission denied” message can mean the path is outside the user’s permitted area or the item is not writable by that user. Check the path and, if using SSH, inspect ownership and permissions before changing anything. Do not try to solve this with broad recursive permissions such as chmod -R 777; that can expose or damage files. If a required item is server-controlled, contact Bluehost support.
Quick Recap
Troubleshooting connection problems
| Symptom | What to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Connection refused or login fails | Host, port, username, authentication method, and whether the user exists | Use ssh.atomicsites.net and port 22; confirm the username belongs to the intended site and that password login or the matching key is enabled. If the password may be wrong, reset or recreate the user rather than guessing repeatedly. |
| “Username already taken” | The name may be in use on another Agency website | Choose a different, server-wide unique username. |
| FileZilla shows FTP or TLS/FTP | The selected protocol is wrong | Cancel and select SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol. Do not continue with ordinary FTP. |
| Password seems not to type | SSH terminals do not echo password characters | Type the password carefully and press Enter. If it still fails, check the configured authentication method or reset the credential. |
| Login works, but expected files are missing | Wrong site/user, unexpected current directory, or restricted path | Confirm the selected website and user, then look for ~/htdocs. Do not assume the account can browse the whole server. |
| Permission denied while editing or deleting | The path may not be writable or may be server-owned | Verify the path and permissions, work inside the permitted website area, or contact Bluehost if access is required. |
| Host authenticity or key warning | First-time SSH connections can request host-key confirmation; a changed key on a known connection deserves attention | Do not blindly accept an unexpected changed key. Verify the fingerprint through Bluehost support or official account documentation if one is provided. |
Safer access habits
- Use SFTP rather than regular FTP for file transfers.
- Prefer individual accounts for agency staff or contractors instead of sharing one credential.
- Use SSH keys for frequent or automated access when your workflow supports them, and protect the private key.
- Avoid saving passwords on shared computers.
- Back up the site before bulk edits or deletions, and verify the remote path before changing files.
- Do not make indiscriminate permission changes or assume an SSH account has root access.
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