Domains

To create a website, the first step is to add a domain name.

If the Domains module is enabled on the server and your user account has access to it, you'll see a table listing all current domains, the total number of domains, a search bar, and an option to add a new domain.

From this interface, you can view:

• Domain Status: Active or Suspended
• Document Root (folder where website files will be stored)
• SSL Settings: Automatic or Custom
• Domain Management Options: Based on enabled features

Available Actions​

Depending on the features enabled on your server, the following actions are available per domain:

• Edit DNS Zone — if the DNS feature is enabled
• Manage WAF — if the WAF feature is enabled
• Change Document Root
• Edit VirtualHosts
• Redirect — if the Redirect feature is enabled
• Capitalize — if the Capitalize feature is enabled
• Suspend / Unsuspend Domain
• Delete Domain

Create a New Domain​

To add a new domain:

1. Click the "Add Domain" button.
2. Enter the domain name.
3. Click "Add Domain" to save.

Unlike other panels, OpenPanel treats all domains equally. From this single interface, you can add primary domains, addon domains, or subdomains.

Once added, the system will automatically attempt to issue a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate. If successful, the certificate will be applied immediately.

Delete a Domain​

To delete a domain:

1. Click the "Delete Domain" option from the domain's dropdown menu.
2. A confirmation page will appear. Click "Delete" to proceed.

If the domain is linked to active applications (e.g. PM2 or WP Manager), deletion will be blocked until those applications are removed. This prevents accidental removal of domains tied to running websites.

Deleting a domain will permanently remove the following:

1. Nginx configuration file
2. DNS zone file
3. SSL certificate
4. IP Blocker rules for the domain
5. Redirects associated with the domain

Redirects​

Add Redirect​

To create a redirect:

1. Click the "Create Redirect" button next to the domain.
2. Enter the full URL (must start with http:// or https://).
3. Click "Save" to apply or "Cancel" to discard.

Edit Redirect​

Click the pencil icon next to an existing redirect URL to modify it.

Delete Redirect​

Click the cross icon next to the redirect URL to remove it.

Edit VirtualHosts File​

The VirtualHosts file defines the configuration for the domain within Nginx or Apache. It includes settings such as:

• Access logs
• PHP version
• Application runners
• Redirect rules
• Custom directives

To edit this file:

1. Click "Edit VirtualHosts" from the domain’s dropdown menu.
2. A new page will open with the Vhost file content.
3. Make your changes and click "Save".

Once saved, OpenPanel will automatically restart the webserver to apply changes.