File Structure

Node.js app file structure on Hostinger — the hbuilds directory, build versions, the current symlink, and file timestamps.

Directory layout

/home/{username}/domains/{domain}/
├── hbuilds/                            ← Managed by deployments — do not edit
│   ├── source/                         ← Working copy of your source while a build runs
│   ├── last-source/                    ← Source of the last successful deployment
│   ├── config/                         ← Environment variables, package.json and lockfile
│   ├── logs/                           ← Build logs, one folder per deployment
│   ├── versions/
│   │   └── {build-id}/                 ← The live build
│   │       ├── nodejs/                 ← Server app files
│   │       └── public_html/            ← Static output of this build
│   └── current → versions/{build-id}   ← Symlink to the live build
└── public_html/                        ← Public docroot, synced from the live build

source/ is removed after a successful deployment. last-source/ is kept and reused when you redeploy an archive app with Use previous files — see Deployments.

Live files

App type	Live location
Server apps (Express, NestJS, Next.js, …)	~/domains/{domain}/hbuilds/current/nodejs
Static output (frontend builds)	~/domains/{domain}/public_html

current is a symlink. Each successful deployment creates a new versions/{build-id} folder and re-points current to it. Failed builds don't change it.

The live build is labeled Current on the Deployments page.

Apps deployed before hbuilds

Apps last deployed before hbuilds/ was introduced may still run from ~/domains/{domain}/nodejs, with build data in a hidden .builds folder. The next deployment moves the build data to hbuilds/ and switches the app to hbuilds/current/nodejs.

File timestamps

Archive extraction keeps the modification time stored inside the archive — "Last modified" in File Manager shows when you edited the file, not when it was deployed. Verify deployments on the Deployments page, not by timestamps.

Manual edits

Warning: Files in hbuilds/ and public_html are overwritten on every deployment. Direct edits via File Manager, FTP, or SSH are not supported — change your source and redeploy. Use environment variables for configuration.

Version retention

Only the live build is kept in versions/ — older builds are removed after each successful deployment. To roll back, push the older code or upload the older archive.

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Last updated: September 23, 2026