How to include another `.htaccess` file in a main `.htaccess`?

Certainly! To include another `.htaccess` file within a main `.htaccess` file, you can use the `RewriteRule` directive along with the `RewriteCond` directive in Apache HTTP Server. This allows for modular and more maintainable configurations. Below, I’ll discuss how you can achieve this, provide examples, and cite reliable sources.

Including Another `.htaccess` File

To include another `.htaccess` file within the main `.htaccess` file, you use `RewriteCond` along with `RewriteRule` directives. This approach redirects requests to a secondary `.htaccess` file based on conditions defined.

Steps to Include Another `.htaccess` File

1. Enable `mod_rewrite`: Ensure that the `mod_rewrite` module is enabled on your Apache server.

1. RewriteCond and RewriteRule Directives:
- Use `RewriteCond` to set conditions for which the secondary `.htaccess` file should be included.
- Use `RewriteRule` to rewrite the URL to include the secondary `.htaccess` file.

Example

Let’s consider you have a secondary `.htaccess` file located at `/path/to/secondary/.htaccess`. The main `.htaccess` file will redirect the requests conditionally to include the configurations in the secondary file.

Here’s a sample configuration snippet:

Main `.htaccess` File:

```
RewriteEngine On

Include another .htaccess file for a specific directory
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/special-directory/
RewriteRule .* – [E=SECONDARY_HTACCESS:/path/to/secondary/.htaccess]

Apply the rules in the secondary .htaccess file
RewriteCond %{ENV:SECONDARY_HTACCESS} (.+)
RewriteRule . – [E=INCLUDE_HTACCESS:%1]
```

Secondary `.htaccess` File:

```

This is /path/to/secondary/.htaccess
Rules and configurations
# Add your rewrite rules or configurations here RewriteRule ^ – [L] # Example rule RewriteRule ^special-directory/(.*)$ /new-location/$1 [L]

```

Explanation

1. RewriteEngine On: This command enables the runtime rewriting engine.
2. RewriteCond %{REQUEST\_URI} ^/special-directory/: This condition checks if the request URI starts with `/special-directory/`.
3. \*_RewriteRule ._ – [E=SECONDARY\_HTACCESS:/path/to/secondary/.htaccess]:\*\* This rule sets an environment variable `SECONDARY_HTACCESS` to the path of your secondary `.htaccess` file.
4. RewriteCond %{ENV:SECONDARY\_HTACCESS} (.+): This condition is true if the `SECONDARY_HTACCESS` environment variable is set.
5. RewriteRule . – [E=INCLUDE\_HTACCESS:%1]: This rule sets another environment variable `INCLUDE_HTACCESS` to the value of `SECONDARY_HTACCESS`.

In the secondary `.htaccess` file, the `` directive checks if the `INCLUDE_HTACCESS` environment variable is set, and if so, it includes its own rules and configurations.

Sources and Further Reading

1. Apache HTTP Server Documentation:
- [mod_rewrite – Apache HTTP Server Version 2.4](https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/mod/mod_rewrite.html)
- [Environment Variables in Apache](https://httpd.apache.org/docs/current/env.html)

1. Community Guides:
- [Using .htaccess Files – DigitalOcean](https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-use-the-htaccess-file)
- [RewriteCond Documentation – Apache HTTP Server](https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/rewrite/flags.html#flag_e)

These resources offer comprehensive insights into using `.htaccess` files, `RewriteCond`, and `RewriteRule` directives to manage server configurations effectively.

By leveraging the modular approach discussed above, you can maintain a cleaner and more organized configuration by splitting rules across multiple `.htaccess` files, tailoring web server behavior to specific needs and directories.