~4 min read • Updated Mar 1, 2026
1. Using all_pre.sh to Control User Commands
The all_pre.sh script is one of the most powerful customization tools in DirectAdmin. It runs before every /CMD_* request.
Path:
/usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/all_pre.sh
If the script returns 0, the command is allowed. If it returns non zero, the command is blocked and the script’s output is shown to the user.
Example: Preventing Email Accounts with Quota > 50MB
#!/bin/sh
if [ "$command" = "/CMD_EMAIL_POP" ] && [ "$domain" = "thedomainyouwant.com" ]; then
if [ "$action" = "create" ] || [ "$action" = "modify" ]; then
if [ "$quota" -eq 0 ]; then
echo "you cant have unlimited quota";
exit 1;
fi
if [ "$quota" -gt 50 ]; then
echo "you cant have more than a 50 meg quota";
exit 2;
fi
fi
fi
exit 0;
Make it executable:
chmod 755 /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/all_pre.sh
This method can be used to restrict virtually any DirectAdmin command.
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2. Preventing Users from Creating Subdomains of Your Domain
If you want to prevent users from creating subdomains under your main domain, use domain_create_pre.sh.
Create:
/usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/domain_create_pre.sh
Content:
#!/usr/local/bin/php
Make executable:
chmod 755 /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/domain_create_pre.sh
This script runs as root, so you can perform deeper validation if needed.
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3. Limiting the Number of Domains on the Server
To cap the total number of domains on the server, use domain_create_pre.sh.
Create:
/usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/domain_create_pre.sh
Content:
#!/bin/sh
MAX_DOMAINS=10
CURRENT=`ls -la /etc/virtual/ | grep drwx | grep -v majordomo | grep -v usage | grep -c drwx`
if [ "$CURRENT" -ge "$MAX_DOMAINS" ]; then
echo "Maximum number of domains ($MAX_DOMAINS) has already been created. Cannot create any more."
exit 1;
fi
exit 0;
Make executable:
chmod 755 /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/domain_create_pre.sh
To prevent creating users when domain limits are reached:
cd /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom
ln -s domain_create_pre.sh user_create_pre.sh
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4. Customizing the Default index.html for New Domains
When a new domain or user is created, DirectAdmin copies the default index.html from:
/home/RESELLERNAME/domains/default/index.html
Available tokens:
- |DOMAIN|
- |USERNAME|
- |DATECREATED|
- |IP|
All files must be world-readable (755) because they are copied by the new user’s process.
---
5. Running Embedded Scripts Inside index.html
You can embed scripts inside the default index.html template:
|$/usr/local/bin/php
DONE|
The script runs as the user, not as admin.
---
6. Editing Templates, Messages, and Default Files Safely
Templates are located in:
/usr/local/directadmin/data/templates
These files are overwritten during DirectAdmin updates. To customize them safely:
/usr/local/directadmin/data/templates/custom
Files in custom override the originals.
To customize the default directory templates:
/usr/local/directadmin/data/templates/custom/default/*
Note: A reseller’s domains use the creator’s default directory, not their own.
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7. Creating a Custom index.html for New Subdomains
Since DirectAdmin does not have a built-in template for subdomain index pages, use:
/usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/subdomain_create_post.sh
Content:
#!/bin/sh
INDEX=/home/$username/domains/$domain/public_html/$subdomain/index.html
rm -f $INDEX
cp /your/custom/index.html $INDEX
chown $username:$username $INDEX
exit 0;
Make executable:
chmod 755 /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/subdomain_create_post.sh
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8. Preventing Users from Changing Their Password
If you want to block users from changing their own passwords (while allowing their creator to change it), use:
/usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/user_password_change_pre.sh
Content:
#!/bin/sh
if [ "$called_by_self" = "1" ]; then
echo "You cannot change your own password.";
exit 1;
fi
exit 0;
Make executable:
chmod 755 /usr/local/directadmin/scripts/custom/user_password_change_pre.sh
Written & researched by Dr. Shahin Siami