How it works
The HTACCESS Generator builds Apache .htaccess configuration rules through a form interface โ creating redirects, URL rewrites, access controls, compression settings, cache headers, and security directives without requiring knowledge of Apache's htaccess syntax.
The .htaccess file is a per-directory configuration file read by the Apache web server. It's the primary way to configure Apache behavior on shared hosting (where you can't edit the main httpd.conf). Common uses include: 301 redirects, pretty URL rewrites (removing .php extensions), forcing HTTPS, password-protecting directories, setting cache expiry headers, and adding security headers.
How to use it: select the rule type from the sidebar, fill in the form fields, and the htaccess rule appears in real time in the output panel. Add multiple rules by clicking through different sections. The complete .htaccess file is assembled and ready to download or copy.
Sections covered: 301/302 redirects (single URL, directory, wildcard pattern), URL rewrites (RewriteRule with conditions), force HTTPS (canonical HTTPS redirect), deny/allow by IP address, basic authentication (password protection), MIME types, compression (mod_deflate), browser cache expiry (mod_expires), custom error pages (ErrorDocument), and security headers (X-Frame-Options, CSP, HSTS via Header directive).
Testing tip: always test htaccess changes in a staging environment first. A syntax error in .htaccess can cause a 500 error for the entire directory. Many hosting panels have an Apache error log accessible through cPanel or Plesk.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A 301 is a permanent redirect โ search engines transfer all link equity to the new URL and update their index. A 302 is temporary โ search engines keep the original URL in their index. Always use 301 for permanent moves (domain changes, URL restructuring). Use 302 for maintenance pages or A/B testing.
- Slightly. Apache reads .htaccess on every request for directories that have one. For high-traffic sites, move rules to the main httpd.conf and disable .htaccess with AllowOverride None for better performance. On shared hosting where httpd.conf is not accessible, .htaccess is the only option.
- No. .htaccess is Apache-specific. Nginx uses its own configuration syntax (nginx.conf). The Nginx equivalent of Apache's RewriteRule is location blocks with rewrite and return directives. If your server runs Nginx, these rules will be ignored.
- Use curl -I -L https://yourdomain.com/old-url in a terminal to follow redirects and see status codes. Or use the browser DevTools Network tab to check the response status of the old URL. A 301 in the response confirms the redirect is working.