Why .htaccess Rules Matter
Apache's .htaccess is your site's silent gatekeeper. Wrong rules = broken site. Missing rules = open attack surface. This builder generates tested, safe output for every common use case.
Where does the file go?
Drop .htaccess in your site's root (public_html / www). One file covers your whole domain. Subdirectories can have their own overrides.
Will this break my site?
Each rule block is isolated and safe. If something breaks, disable rules one by one. Always keep a backup of your existing .htaccess before replacing.
HTTPS redirect not working?
Ensure your SSL certificate is installed first. Then make sure mod_rewrite is enabled on your host. Most cPanel hosts have it on by default.
HSTS — what's the risk?
HSTS tells browsers to always use HTTPS for 1 year. Only enable it if your SSL is permanent. If you ever remove SSL, visitors will be locked out with no easy fix.