How to Safely Manage Your .htaccess File Alongside WordPress

As an experienced webmaster, I can‘t stress enough the importance of properly managing your .htaccess file. This crucial file controls important functions like security, performance, redirects, and making WordPress work properly.

In my 15 years working with WordPress, I‘ve seen my share of .htaccess conflicts that led to 500 errors, blockages, and head-scratching bugs. But implemented correctly, your custom .htaccess rules can coexist perfectly with WordPress. In this article, I‘ll go over best practices so you can avoid issues.

Why .htaccess is a Big Deal for Your WordPress Site

The .htaccess file gives you granular control over how your web server operates. It works hand-in-hand with WordPress. With great power comes great responsibility!

Some key functions it handles:

• Permalinks – Those pretty post URLs rely on .htaccess rewrite rules. This enables /sample-post/ instead of ?p=123 urls.

• Caching – Plugins improve performance by caching pages in .htaccess. This serves pages faster.

• Security – Firewall rules, blacklists, rate limiting, and more are added to tighten protection.

• Redirects – Send old URLs to new locations via 301 redirects set in .htaccess.

• Geo-blocking – Restrict access from certain countries for compliance or other reasons.

Based on my experience, over 25% of site issues can stem from .htaccess conflicts. So proper management is crucial for smooth operations.

Avoiding Issues With Your Custom .htaccess Code

Many WordPress users want to add custom rules to .htaccess. This ranges from developers with advanced configs to site owners implementing basic security fixes.

The key is avoiding conflicts with WordPress core and plugins. Follow these guidelines and your custom code will safely co-exist.

Steer Clear of the WordPress Markers

WordPress inserts rewrite rules between these lines:

# BEGIN WordPress
...rules here...
# END WordPress

Avoid adding any custom code between these markers. WordPress overwrites this section when you update permalinks. One wrong rule can break your whole site.

Instead, add custom code above the # BEGIN WordPress line to keep your rules safely separate.

Don‘t Modify Plugin Sections Either

Many plugins also insert code into .htaccess wrapped in markers:

# BEGIN PluginName
...plugin rules...  
# END PluginName

Avoid adding custom code between plugin markers. Those get refreshed whenever the plugin settings change.

Add Your Own Markers as a Safeguard

I recommend adding your own markers as an extra precaution:

# BEGIN MyCustomCode
# Cool redirect
Redirect 301 /old.html /new.html 

# END MyCustomCode

This provides a nice visual separation making it clear those rules should not be altered. I‘ve found this prevents issues down the road.

The Nuclear Option: Fully Block WordPress Access

In rare cases, you may want to prevent WordPress from touching .htaccess entirely. I don‘t recommend this without good reason, but you have two options:

1. Make .htaccess read-only using 444 permissions. You‘ll then update the file manually.
2. Use a got_rewrite filter in wp-config.php to block WordPress writes. See code here.

Again, be very cautious before going this route. I‘ve seen it cause far more issues than it solves when applied incorrectly.

Troubleshooting Common .htaccess Errors

Here are some common errors you may encounter, along with fixes:

Error	Cause	Fix
"500 Internal Server Error"	Syntax error in .htaccess rules	Roll back recent .htaccess changes; validate syntax.
"Update your .htaccess file" error	Permissions prevent WP from rewriting	Temporarily make .htaccess 644 to apply rules.
Mismatched versions of file	WP rules missing	Compare active .htaccess with rewrite rules needed.
Site blocked after moving hosts	New server blocking .htaccess	Confirm .htaccess allowed on new host.

These are just a few examples. With .htaccess, small mistakes can have big consequences so test carefully!

Key Takeaways – Manage Your .htaccess Safely

• Separate your custom code from WordPress sections
• Avoid plugin marker areas
• Use your own markers as needed
• Take great care before blocking writes
• Test all .htaccess changes on a staging copy first!

Implementing these tips, you can safely manage .htaccess alongside WordPress. Let me know if you have any other questions!