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What can you host on CloudPanel? PHP, Node.js, Python, static sites and reverse proxies

CloudPanel is a free control panel built on Nginx, but it isn't only for PHP. When you add a site it offers six site types, and each one gets its own Linux site user and a ready-made Nginx configuration. This guide explains what each type is for and what you'll be asked when you create it, so you can pick the right one first time.

For a full introduction, see What is CloudPanel? Complete overview.



1. WordPress
Use it for: blogs, business sites and WooCommerce shops.
CloudPanel creates the site user, the database and a fully configured WordPress install in one step, with no setup wizard. It pairs well with CloudPanel's built-in Varnish Cache.
Step by step: How to install WordPress in CloudPanel.

2. PHP application
Use it for: any PHP code: Laravel, Symfony, Magento, Drupal, Joomla, Shopware, PrestaShop, Nextcloud, Moodle, TYPO3 and more.
You choose: the Application (Generic or a framework template that sets the right rewrite rules), the domain and the PHP version (7.1 to 8.5, changeable later).

Step by step: How to create a PHP site in CloudPanel.

3. Node.js app
Use it for: Node.js apps and APIs, for example Ghost or Strapi.
You choose: the domain, the Node.js version (LTS versions from 12 to 24) and the App Port your app listens on. Nginx serves the domain and passes requests to that port.
Keeping it running: CloudPanel's docs use pm2 as the process manager:

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npm install pm2@latest -g pm2 start npm --name my-app -- start pm2 save

To restart it after a reboot, add a cron job for the site user with

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@reboot pm2 resurrect

(and set PATH in that crontab so Node is found).

4. Python app
Use it for: Django, Flask, FastAPI and other Python web apps.
You choose: the domain, the Python version (3.12 on Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 and Debian 12; 3.14 on Ubuntu 26.04 and Debian 13) and the App Port. CloudPanel's docs cover running Python apps with uWSGI.

5. Static HTML site
Use it for: plain HTML/CSS/JavaScript sites, landing pages and the built output of static site generators (Hugo, Jekyll, Astro, a React or Vue build).
You choose: just the domain. Upload your files to the site's htdocs folder and Nginx serves them directly. It's the fastest and simplest option.

6. Reverse proxy
Use it for: anything else running on the server or another machine: a Docker container, a Go or Java app, Uptime Kuma, n8n, a self-hosted tool on another port.
You choose: the domain, the Reverse Proxy URL (for example

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http://127.0.0.1:3001

) and a site user. CloudPanel handles the domain and free SSL, and forwards traffic to that URL.
This is also how you run Docker apps with CloudPanel, since it has no built-in Docker manager.

Which type should I choose?

• WordPress site? Use WordPress, not PHP. You get a ready install in one step.
  
• PHP framework or shop? Use PHP with the matching application template.
  
• App that runs its own server process (Node.js, Python)? Use Node.js or Python with the app's port.
  
• Only files, no server code? Use Static HTML.
  
• Docker container or any other service? Use Reverse proxy.
  

Good to know

• Every site type gets its own site user, so sites are isolated from each other.
  
• Every type can use a free Let's Encrypt certificate: How to install free SSL in CloudPanel.
  
• CloudPanel has no mail server or DNS hosting; use external services for those.
  

Sources (checked October 2026): CloudPanel: Add Site · Technology stack · Node.js with pm2

Not sure which type fits your app? Ask in CloudPanel Getting Started Support.