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

# Default Directory index page

When a request is made to a URL that points to a directory instead of an actual file within a directory, web servers will typically serve a default index page such as an **index.html** or **index.php** file. If this file does not exist on the server or the server is not configured to display this file, a list of all the files and directories located inside the current directory may be displayed.

Users can modify what index file is loaded by default when a directory is navigated to.

#### Directory index files on cPanel Hosting

Follow the instructions below to modify the default index page on cPanel Hosting accounts.

Please note that modifying the directory index file on a cPanel Hosting account requires users to modify their **.htaccess** file. If modified incorrectly, you could break your live website. It is recommended you backup your **.htaccess** file before attempting to make any changes to it.

1. Log into your Account.
2. Find the cPanel in question and log in.
3. Click the **File Manager** icon.
4. Select **Home Directory**.
5. Tick the box next to **Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)**.
6. Click **\[Go]**.
7. Navigate to the **public\_html** directory.
8. If a .htaccess file exists, select it then click the Edit icon
9. If no .htaccess file exists, click on the New File icon and create a file called .htaccess
10. Type in the below code into your .htaccess file:

```text theme={null}
#Example DirectoryIndex index.php index.html index.htm
DirectoryIndex filename
```

11. If you want to add additional default index file options, you can add a space and include additional file names
    eg. DirectoryIndex index.php index.htm index.html Index.html
12. Once done making the appropriate changes, click **\[Save Changes]**.

**.htaccess** files work recursively, meaning all the subfolders that do not have their own **.htaccess** file will listen to the directive given by the **.htaccess** file placed in the root directory.