paulovenoy/venoybot/pterodactyl-specialist

🦅 Pterodactyl Panel: The Ultimate Specialist Guide

Pterodactyl is the most widely used server management panel in the market (used by approximately 95% of hosting companies). This guide consolidates all the knowledge required to operate everything from game servers to Bot and API instances.

📊 1. Overview and Monitoring (Dashboard)

The home screen (Console/Home) is your "instrument panel." Here, you monitor your machine's health in real-time:

🎮 2. Basic Controls and Console (CMD)

Command Buttons

• Start: Initiates the container boot process.
• Restart: Forces a shutdown and starts again (ideal for applying changes).
• Stop: Gracefully terminates all processes.

Command Console

The Console is the heart of interaction. It shows real-time logs and allows execution of commands (functions like CMD or Terminal on your PC).

• Interactivity: Type commands directly into the bottom bar to perform actions on the server.
• Feedback: Script errors, connection logs, and initialization status appear here.

📁 3. File Management (Files/SFTP)

The Files tab contains your server's entire structure.

Internal Operations

• Upload: Send files directly through the browser (recommended for small/medium files).
• Unarchive: Extract .zip, .tar.gz, or .rar files directly on the server.
• Management: Create new files (New File) or folders (Create Directory) to organize your project.

SFTP Access (FileZilla/WinSCP)

For large transfers, use the SFTP address provided in settings:

• Credentials: Host, Port (usually 2022), Username, and the same panel password.
• Security: Prefer the internal manager to avoid vulnerabilities from third-party software.

💾 4. Database (Databases)

Used to store persistent data (such as rank systems, economy, or logs).

1. Creation: In Databases, click New Database.
2. Configuration: The panel will provide credentials (Host, Port, User, Password).
3. Access: Use this information in your config.js or .env to connect your bot to the database.

🛡️ 5. Backup and Security

Backup System

• Create: Set a name and choose whether to ignore heavy files (like node_modules).
• Lock: The "lock" feature prevents an important backup from being accidentally deleted.
• Restore: Reverts all files to the exact state they were in when the backup was created.

Activity

An audit log that records who did what and when. Essential for monitoring changes made by sub-users.

👥 6. Sub-Users (Users)

Allows granting access to collaborators without sharing your main password.

• Permissions: You can be granular, granting access only to the "Console" or only to "Files."
• Invitation: Simply enter the collaborator's email and select the privileges.

🚀 7. Hosting Bots and APIs (Node.js/Python)

Pterodactyl is excellent for running modern applications using this workflow:

7.1 Preparation and Upload

1. Cleanup: Delete the local node_modules folder before compressing into .zip (for faster upload).
2. Upload: Send the .zip via the Files tab.
3. Extraction: Use Unarchive and move files to the root if they are inside a subfolder.

7.2 Startup Configuration

• Docker Image: Ensure the image matches your language version (e.g., Node.js 22).
• Start Command: Usually npm start or node index.js.
• Variables: Configure API tokens and ports here to keep your code clean.

7.3 Network Port (Port Mapping)

If it is a Web API, your application must listen on the exact port provided by the host (displayed in the Console). Example: app.listen(process.env.PORT || 4000).

🤖 8. Using Pre-Installed Bots (Library)

Some hosts offer "One-Click Install" for popular bots (Baileys, Web JS).

1. Startup: Select the desired bot from the dropdown list.
2. Pairing: In the Console, the bot will generate a QR Code or Pairing Code.
3. Connection: In WhatsApp, go to Linked Devices > Link with phone number and enter the code displayed in the panel.

⏲️ 9. Automation (Schedules)

Keep your server light by configuring daily restarts:

1. In Schedules, create a schedule (e.g., 0 0 * * * for midnight).
2. Add a Task of type Send Power Action.
3. Select Restart Server. This clears the cache and prevents slowdowns.

💡 Cockpit Analogy

Think of Pterodactyl as an Airplane Cockpit:

• Dashboard: Vital indicators (Fuel/RAM, Altitude/CPU).
• Controls: Takeoff and Landing (Start/Stop).
• Console: Direct radio communication with the tower.
• Files: The luggage compartment where everything necessary is stored.