# Getting started with cPanel
Source: https://docs.webgee.com/en/getting-started/cpanel-basics



cPanel is where you manage your hosting account — files, email, databases,
domains and backups. Applies to shared, reseller and Premium hosting.

## Sign in [#sign-in]

Use the port `2083`, which is what tells the server you want cPanel:

| Situation                  | Address                             |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Domain already points here | `https://example.com:2083`          |
| Domain not yet pointed     | `https://your-server-hostname:2083` |

Your server hostname and credentials are in your welcome email. The hostname is
deliberately unbranded, so it will not contain "webgee" — that is expected, not a
mistake.

You can also reach cPanel from the client area without entering credentials:
**Services → your service → Login to cPanel**.

### Resellers [#resellers]

WHM is on port `2087` — `https://your-server-hostname:2087` — with the same
credentials.

To open a client's cPanel from WHM, go to **List Accounts** and select the
orange **cP** icon beside their domain. No password needed, which is the point:
you never need to know or reset a client's password to help them.

## What to do first [#what-to-do-first]

Four things, roughly in order:

1. **[Upload your site](/en/getting-started/where-should-i-upload-my-website-files)** to
   `public_html`, or
   [install WordPress](/en/hosting/wordpress/how-to-install-wordpress-with-softaculous).
2. **[Create your email accounts](/en/email/how-to-create-email-accounts-in-cpanel)**.
3. **[Check your certificate](/en/security-ssl/free-ssl-certificate)** — AutoSSL
   issues one automatically — then
   [force HTTPS](/en/security-ssl/force-https).
4. **[Turn on caching](/en/hosting/wordpress/how-do-i-install-and-enable-litespeed-cache)**
   if you are running WordPress. It makes more difference than anything else you
   can do in an afternoon.

## The tools you will actually use [#the-tools-you-will-actually-use]

| Tool                   | For                                                                                                                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **File Manager**       | Uploading, editing and organising files without FTP                                                                                        |
| **Email Accounts**     | Creating mailboxes, forwarders and autoresponders                                                                                          |
| **MySQL Databases**    | Databases and users for your applications                                                                                                  |
| **Domains**            | Addon domains, subdomains, redirects                                                                                                       |
| **Zone Editor**        | DNS records                                                                                                                                |
| **JetBackup 5**        | [Restoring from backup](/en/backups/jetbackup-how-to-restore-your-account-files-or-databases)                                              |
| **Softaculous**        | One-click application installs                                                                                                             |
| **Select PHP Version** | [PHP version, settings and extensions](/en/development/change-php-version)                                                                 |
| **Resource Usage**     | Whether you are hitting [account limits](/en/performance/understanding-cloudlinux-and-lve-limits-enhancing-server-stability-and-performan) |
| **Imunify360**         | [Malware scanning](/en/security-ssl/malware-scanner-how-to-scan-your-sites-for-malware)                                                    |

The home screen also shows disk usage, bandwidth, and counts of email accounts
and databases — worth glancing at occasionally, since disk space is the limit
most people reach without noticing.

## Related [#related]

* [The Ultimate Beginners Guide to cPanel](/en/getting-started/cpanel-complete-guide)
* [Where to upload your website files](/en/getting-started/where-should-i-upload-my-website-files)
* [What support is included](/en/getting-started/what-support-is-included-with-my-hosting-plan)