post added: how to access and manage your server on octabyte

Author: AxeemHaider

content/posts/how-to-access-and-manage-your-server-on-octabyte/images/cover.png

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+---
+draft: false
+title: 'How to Access and Manage Your Server on OctaByte'
+date: "2025-05-27"
+description: "Learn how to access your virtual machine on OctaByte, update environment variables, and restart your application using Docker."
+tags: ["OctaByte", "VM access", "update environment variables", "edit .env file", "restart docker app", "OctaByte support", "managed open source hosting"]
+categories: ["Fully managed", "Guides", "How to"]
+cover:
+  image: images/cover.png
+  caption: 'How to Access and Manage Your Server on OctaByte'
+  relative: true
+ShowToc: true
+TocOpen: true
+---
+
+At OctaByte, we make it simple for you to manage your virtual machines. Whether you want to tweak environment variables or restart your app, this guide walks you through each step with images to help you along the way.
+
+---
+
+## Step 1: Request Access to Your Server
+
+To get started, request access to your server. You can contact our support team in two ways:
+
+- **Email:** [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])  
+- **Live Chat:** Available on [octabyte.io](https://octabyte.io)
+
+---
+
+## Step 2: Receive Email with Credentials
+
+Our support team will email you the login credentials you need to access your server.
+
+---
+
+## Step 3: Log in to Your Server
+
+Use the provided credentials to log in to your server. You'll land in your workspace where you can view and manage files.
+
+---
+
+## Step 4: Navigate the File System
+
+On the left-hand side, you’ll find the file explorer. You can switch between directories and locate the files you need to modify.
+
+![Step 4](images/step-4.png)
+
+---
+
+## Step 5: Edit the `.env` File
+
+To update environment variables, open the `.env` file. You can add or modify values as needed.
+
+![Step 5](images/step-5.png)
+
+---
+
+## Step 6: Open the Terminal
+
+After saving changes to the `.env` file, open the terminal from the dashboard to apply the updates.
+
+![Step 6](images/step-6.png)
+
+---
+
+## Step 7: Restart Your App
+
+Run the following two commands in the terminal to restart your Docker-based application:
+
+```bash
+docker-compose down
+docker-compose up -d
+```
+
+This will gracefully restart your app with the updated environment variables.
+
+![Step 7](images/step-7.png)
+
+## Step 8: You're Done!
+
+That’s it! Your app is now running with the updated settings. If you run into any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team.
+
+Need help? Reach us anytime at [email protected] or through live chat on [octabyte.io](https://octabyte.io)