Understanding the Joomla 6 Folder Structure

To manage or customize your Joomla 6 website effectively, it’s important to understand how its files and folders are organized. Knowing what each folder does helps you back up, troubleshoot, and modify your site safely.

1. Where Joomla Stores Its Files

After installing Joomla 6, your website files are stored inside the root directory of your hosting or local server — usually named public_html or htdocs. Inside that directory, Joomla creates a set of structured folders and core files.

2. Overview of Key Joomla 6 Folders

• administrator/ – Contains the backend (Admin Panel) files. This includes templates, language files, and components that run in the admin area.
• api/ – Holds API-related files for Joomla’s web services. Developers use this folder to build custom integrations.
• cache/ – Stores temporary data that helps your site load faster. It’s safe to clear this folder occasionally.
• components/ – Contains the main functional parts of your website (articles, contacts, banners, etc.) that appear on the frontend.
• images/ – This is where all uploaded images and media files are stored. You can manage them via the Media Manager.
• language/ – Holds frontend language files. Each language has its own folder (for example, en-GB for English).
• layouts/ – Stores override layout files used for customizing the output of templates or extensions.
• libraries/ – Contains Joomla’s core PHP libraries and framework files — you usually won’t need to touch these.
• media/ – Stores assets such as icons, CSS, or JavaScript used by Joomla extensions and templates.
• modules/ – Each module (like “Latest Articles” or “Search”) has its own folder here. These control smaller content blocks shown around your site.
• plugins/ – Contains all installed plugins, organized by group (e.g. authentication, system, content).
• templates/ – This is where frontend templates are stored. Each template has its own subfolder with layout, CSS, and JS files.
• tmp/ – A temporary folder used for file uploads and extension installation. It’s safe to clear if installation errors occur.

3. Important Core Files in Joomla 6

• configuration.php – Stores your site’s configuration settings like database info, caching, and paths. Handle it with care.
• index.php – The main entry point for your Joomla website frontend.
• htaccess.txt – A sample file you can rename to .htaccess to enable URL rewriting (used for SEO-friendly links).
• robots.txt – Controls how search engines crawl your site.

4. Tips for Beginners

• Never delete or move Joomla core folders unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
• Keep a backup before editing configuration files.
• Custom changes should go inside the templates or media folder — not core directories.
• Use the File Manager in your hosting or an FTP client (like FileZilla) to browse these folders safely.

5. Summary

The Joomla 6 folder structure is neatly organized for both site owners and developers. Understanding what each directory does helps you customize and maintain your website with confidence.

In the next lesson, we’ll configure your site for the first time in Setting Up Your Joomla 6 Site Configuration.