Skeleton directory adds polish to new cPanel account creation – part 1

The skeleton directory, or skel, is a feature available in Web Host Manager (WHM), the control panel that comes with reseller and higher hosting accounts on cPanel servers. This directory is used as a template, or skeleton, for new cPanel accounts. Anything placed in the skeleton directory of the reseller account is automatically copied to the home directory of any new cPanel account created by that reseller.

For example if, in the skeleton directory, you create a /public_html directory include an index.html file, each new cPanel account you create will have a copy of that index.html in their public_html directory.

To determine your skeleton directory path:

1. Login to WHM.
2. In the Account Functions menu, click on the “Skeleton Directory” link.
3. The path to your skeleton directory will be displayed, usually something like
   /home/username/cpanel3-skel
   where “username” is your main reseller account.

You could insert information telling your clients how to begin modifying their cPanel account settings, uploading their own web pages, etc. In an index.php file, you could include more dynamic content, as PHP can do many interesting things.

A web hosting reseller might include their terms of service, ensuring that clients testing their newly hosted domain would see it. Some include a page with steps for clients on how to begin configuring their accounts.

You can even place symbolic links in the directory, which will then be provided to your new client accounts.

Skel is another reason why, for users with multiple domains, a reseller or VPS account is so much more useful than a regular shared hosting account.

In my next post, part two on skeleton directory, I’ll share details of the code I use in an index.php page to create a default home page for new accounts including some dynamic content.