# How to access your WordPress files via SFTP on a Coolify VPS

> If you’re running WordPress through Coolify and need direct access to your files, SFTP is the simplest way to get in.

Author: Farhan Munim  
Published: 27 April 2026  
Updated: 26 October 2026  
Tags: Coolify, Docker  
Source: https://farhan.app/blog/how-to-access-your-wordpress-files-via-sftp-on-a-coolify-vps/

## 1\. Connect to Your VPS via SFTP

Use any SFTP client (like FileZilla or your terminal).

You’ll need:

-   **Host**: your VPS IP (if you use Tailscale, you need to use the assigned Tailscale address for the VPS)
-   **Username**: usually `root` (or your server user)
-   **Password or SSH key**
-   **Port**: `22` (default)

Once connected, you’ll be browsing your server files like a normal file explorer.

### 2\. Navigate to the WordPress Files

Coolify stores service data inside Docker volumes.

The path you’re looking for is:

```
/var/lib/docker/volumes/service_name/_data
```

### 3\. Find Your `service_name`

Each app/service in Coolify gets its own volume.

To figure out which one is yours:

-   Go to your Coolify dashboard
-   Open your project → service
-   Check the URL or service name – it’s usually included there

That name will match the folder inside `/var/lib/docker/volumes/`.

### 4\. What You’ll See

Inside `_data`, you’ll typically find:

-   `wp-content`
-   `wp-config.php`
-   core WordPress files

From here, you can:

-   upload themes/plugins
-   edit files
-   download backups

## That’s it

No magic – just SFTP + knowing where Coolify stores things.