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

# Setting up custom .htaccess files for PHP settings

> Master PHP settings on your website with our concise guide on custom .htaccess files, complete with instructions and code snippets.

This article describes how to use custom *.htaccess* files to control PHP settings for your web site.

<Warning>
  **Important**

  The information in this article only applies to certain types of hosting accounts. To determine whether or not the information below applies to your account, please see [this article](/docs/changing-php-settings-and-versions).
</Warning>

## Setting up a custom .htaccess file

You can use directives in an *.htaccess* file to control many PHP settings. Additionally, you can set up one or multiple custom *.htaccess* files to define how your web site functions. For example, you might have a custom file in your *public\_html* directory for your web site's main pages, and a separate custom file in your *public\_html/images* directory for your web site's image files.

To set up a custom *.htaccess* file, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account [using SSH](/docs/using-ssh-secure-shell).

2. Use a text editor to create an *.htaccess* file in your web site's document root directory.
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > Alternatively, if you want to set PHP settings for a specific subdirectory, create the *.htaccess* file in that subdirectory.

3. For security reasons, the *.htaccess* file contents should not be visible to the public. To do this, add the following lines to the *.htaccess* file:

   ```
   # Prevent Apache from serving .ht* files:
   <FilesMatch "^\.ht">
     Order allow,deny
     Deny from all
   </FilesMatch>
   ```

4. Save the changes and exit the text editor. You are now ready to add specific PHP directives to the *.htaccess* file. For more information about how do this, please see [these articles](/docs/using-php-directives-in-custom-htaccess-files).

## More information

To view a complete list of PHP directives, please visit [http://www.php.net/manual/en/ini.list.php](http://www.php.net/manual/en/ini.list.php).

## Related articles

* [PHP script basics](/docs/php-script-basics)

* [Using PHP directives in custom .htaccess files](/docs/using-php-directives-in-custom-htaccess-files)