Change permissions

Permissions say who may read, change and run a file on a server (chmod).

Steps

  1. Select the items and choose File ▸ Permissions….
  2. Tick the boxes: Read, Write and Execute, for the Owner, the Group and Others. Or type the number in Octal (chmod), for example 755 or 644.
  3. For folders: tick Change everything in the folders too to change what is inside as well.
  4. Click Apply.
The Permissions sheet with Read, Write and Execute boxes and the octal number 755

Tips

  • Read lets someone see the file, Write change it, Execute run it (or enter a folder).
  • File ▸ Make Executable is a shortcut for chmod +x: a script can then run.
  • When you change a whole folder, folders keep their Execute box where they can be read, so a mode like 640 doesn’t lock you out of them.
  • A symbolic link has its target’s permissions: change those on the target.