📋 Configuration Options
301/302 Redirects
URL Rewrite Rules
Browser Caching Policy
Security Headers
Gzip Compression
Access Control
What Can the .htaccess Generator Do?
The .htaccess Generator is a free online Apache server configuration tool that helps you quickly generate .htaccess files through a visual interface. No need to memorize complex Apache syntax — just check options and fill in parameters to generate complete configurations including URL rewrites, 301 redirects, browser caching policies, security headers, Gzip compression, hotlink protection, and IP access control. All generation happens locally in your browser.
Core Features
- Redirect Configuration: Support for 301/302 single-page redirects and whole-site domain migration redirects
- URL Rewriting: Visual mod_rewrite rule configuration with regex patterns and multiple flags
- Caching Policy: Set Expires and Cache-Control headers by file type to optimize load speed
- Security Headers: One-click configuration of X-Frame-Options, HSTS, XSS protection headers
- Gzip Compression: Enable mod_deflate with adjustable compression level and file types
- Access Control: IP blacklist, directory listing control, hotlink protection
How to Use
1. Select the configuration tab you need (Redirects/URL Rewrite/Caching/Security/Compression/Access Control).
2. Fill in parameters in each tab, such as redirect paths, cache durations, security header options.
3. Click "Generate Config" to automatically merge all settings into a complete .htaccess file.
4. Copy the generated config or download as .htaccess, then upload to your website root directory.
5. Use Ctrl+Enter to generate quickly, Ctrl+Shift+C to copy results.
Use Cases
Case 1: Website Migration
When changing domains, generate whole-site 301 redirect rules to ensure SEO ranking transfer and seamless user redirection.
Case 2: SEO Optimization
Configure URL rewrite rules to convert dynamic URLs to static ones, improving search engine friendliness. Set caching policies to speed up page loads.
Case 3: Security Hardening
One-click security header configuration (X-Frame-Options, HSTS, etc.) to prevent clickjacking, MIME sniffing, and force HTTPS access.
Case 4: Performance Optimization
Enable Gzip compression and browser caching to reduce transfer size and eliminate repeat requests, significantly improving load times.
Technical Background
.htaccess is Apache HTTP Server's distributed configuration file allowing directory-level configuration overrides. It uses Apache directive syntax and depends on modules like mod_rewrite, mod_headers, mod_expires, and mod_deflate. Processing order: .htaccess files are loaded top-down through directory hierarchy; child directories can override parent settings. Performance tip: .htaccess is read on every request — if you can modify httpd.conf, use AllowOverride None and place rules in the main config for better performance. Common pitfalls: missing RewriteBase causing incorrect paths; RedirectMatch order affecting results; [L] flag's special behavior in .htaccess context.
❓ FAQ
What is an .htaccess file?
.htaccess is an Apache server directory-level configuration file that controls URL rewrites, redirects, caching, and access permissions without modifying the main server config.
Can I use the generated config directly?
Yes. The generated config follows Apache conventions. Download and place it in your website root directory. Test in a staging environment first.
Which Apache modules are supported?
Supports mod_rewrite (URL rewriting), mod_headers (HTTP headers), mod_expires (caching), mod_auth (authentication), mod_deflate (compression), and more.
Is my data safe?
Absolutely. All configuration is generated locally in your browser. No data is ever uploaded to any server.
What's the difference between .htaccess and nginx config?
.htaccess is Apache-specific with declarative syntax; nginx uses nginx.conf with different syntax. They serve similar purposes but are not interchangeable.
Why isn't my .htaccess working?
Common causes: 1) AllowOverride not enabled 2) Incorrect file permissions 3) Syntax errors 4) Required modules not loaded. Check Apache error logs to diagnose.
How to debug .htaccess rules?
Add [R=302,L] for temporary testing (302 won't affect SEO). Enable Apache's LogLevel rewrite:trace8 for detailed logs to verify rule matching.