# Access files on servers

Once you have [set up synchronization](deploying-applications.html) between your local application sources and the application sources on a server, you can [upload and download files](uploading-and-downloading-files.html) as well as [compare](comparing-deployed-files-and-folders-with-their-local-versions.html) files and folders on the server with their local versions, [edit local
versions](#manage_files_on_remote_host_edit_local) and even [edit individual non-project files](editing-individual-files-on-remote-hosts.html) on the server.

You can also [create, move,
rename, and delete](#manage_files_on_remote_host) files and folders on the server.

> **Note:**
> For the sake of simplicity, any file or folder in your IntelliJ IDEA project is called local and any file or folder on the server is called remote, even if the server is actually installed on your machine. For more information, refer to [Connect to a web server](configuring-synchronization-with-a-remote-host.html).
>
>
>
> Although IntelliJ IDEA supports direct editing of individual non-project files on servers, to keep your local and remote sources synchronized, configure automatic upload using the  Upload changed files automatically to the default server  list in the [Options](settings-deployment-options.html) dialog.

Procedure: Enable the FTP/SFTP/WebDAV Connectivity plugin

This functionality relies on the [FTP/SFTP/WebDAV Connectivity](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/13125-ftp-sftp-webdav-connectivity)  plugin, which  is bundled and enabled in IntelliJ IDEA   by default. If the relevant features are not available, make sure that you did not disable the plugin.

> **Note:**
> The FTP/SFTP/WebDAV Connectivity plugin is not available in IntelliJ IDEA without the Ultimate subscription.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Plugins`.

2. Open the Installed tab, find the FTP/SFTP/WebDAV Connectivity plugin, and select the checkbox next to the plugin name.

## Access a remote server

Procedure:

1. Open the [Remote Host tool window](remote-host-tool-window.html) by choosing `Tools | Deployment | Browse Remote Host`  or `View | Tool Windows | Remote Host`  from the main menu.

2. Select the required deployment server from the list. The tool window shows a tree view of files and folders under the server root. If no relevant server is available in the list, click ![the Browse button](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/app.general.ellipsis.svg), and in the Deployment dialog that opens [configure access to the required server](configuring-synchronization-with-a-remote-host.html).

## Create, move, rename, edit, and delete files and folders on the server

Procedure: Create, move, rename, edit, and delete files

* To create a file or a folder, in the Remote Host tool window, right-click the parent folder for it and select `New | File` or `New | Directory`.

* To move, rename, or delete a file or a folder, right-click the file or folder and select the required action from its context menu.

Procedure: Edit the local version of a file

* In the Remote Host tool window, right-click the file whose local copy you want to edit and select `Edit Local File`. The Local copy of the selected file opens in the editor.

* To compare the remote and local copies, select `Compare with Local Version`.

## See also

### Procedures

[Deployment](deploying-applications.html)

### Reference

[Remote Host tool window](remote-host-tool-window.html)