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?
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Provide a welcome page for new accounts.
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Ensure visitors see a friendly message instead of an error.
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Save time by automatically copying default files into each new account.
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Maintain consistent branding across customer sites.
Setting Up Skeleton Files
1. Locate the Skeleton Directory
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Log in to your reseller cPanel account.
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Navigate to the File Manager.
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In the file listing pane, open the directory:
/cpanel3-skel/ -
Inside, you’ll find two subdirectories:
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public_html → Files placed here are copied into the
public_htmldirectory of new accounts. -
public_ftp → Files placed here are copied into the
public_ftpdirectory of new accounts.
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2. Add Default Content
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Place an
index.htmlfile 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
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Log in to WHM.
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Create a new hosting account.
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The files you placed in
/cpanel3-skel/public_htmland/cpanel3-skel/public_ftpwill automatically appear in the new account’s directories.
Notes
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