> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.davnode.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom domain setup

> Configure your custom domain and add the necessary DNS records.

## 1. Register the Domain in Davnode

Navigate to your Davnode dashboard and add your intended custom domain.

## 2. Configure DNS Records

Access the DNS management console of your domain registrar (e.g., Cloudflare, Porkbun, Spaceship, Namecheap, GoDaddy, Dynadot).

> **Recommendation**.
> For domain registration, we recommend **[Porkbun](https://porkbun.com)** or **[Spaceship](https://www.spaceship.com)**.
> For DNS management, we recommend **[Cloudflare](https://www.cloudflare.com)**.

### Step 2.1: Verify Domain Ownership

To activate your custom domain, you must prove ownership by adding a specific TXT record.

1. Copy the unique verification token from your Davnode domain dashboard.
2. Add the following record to your DNS provider:

DNS Zone file

| Type | Name | Content                                  | TTL  |
| :--- | :--- | :--------------------------------------- | :--- |
| TXT  | @    | "PASTE\_VALUE\_FROM\_DAVNODE\_DASHBOARD" | Auto |

### Step 2.2: Add Service Records

Add the following records to configure email delivery, security protocols, and service discovery.

**Bulk Import Method (Recommended for Cloudflare users)**: You can copy the block below, save it as a dns.txt file, and import it directly into your Cloudflare DNS dashboard.

```
@                  IN MX      10 mail.davnode.com.
ed._domainkey      IN CNAME   ed._domainkey.davnode.com.
rsa._domainkey     IN CNAME   rsa._domainkey.davnode.com.
mta-sts            IN CNAME   mail.davnode.com.
_mta-sts           IN CNAME   _mta-sts.davnode.com.
_smtp._tls         IN CNAME   _smtp._tls.davnode.com.
@                  IN TXT     "v=spf1 include:_spf.davnode.com ~all"
_dmarc             IN CNAME   _dmarc.davnode.com.
autoconfig         IN CNAME   mail.davnode.com.
autodiscover       IN CNAME   mail.davnode.com.
_caldavs._tcp      IN CNAME   _caldavs._tcp.davnode.com.
_carddavs._tcp     IN CNAME   _carddavs._tcp.davnode.com.
```

> **Important: Cloudflare Configuration**. If you are using Cloudflare, you must disable the Proxy Status for all Davnode records. Ensure the cloud icon is set to DNS Only (Grey Cloud), not Proxied (Orange Cloud).

## 3. Verify DNS Propagation

Once you have added the records, return to your Davnode dashboard.

Click the `Verify DNS` button.

The system will check for the propagated records.

> Note: DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours depending on your provider. If verification fails immediately, please wait a few minutes and try again.

***

## Understanding the `@` in DNS Zone Files

### What Does `@` Mean?

The `@` symbol is simply a placeholder used in your DNS settings to stand for your entire domain name. It’s the easiest way to refer to the **main address** of your website.

Think of it as a nickname for your primary domain.

<Note>
  If your website is `mycustomdomain.com`, putting **`@`** in the **Name** field
  is the exact same thing as writing out **`mycustomdomain.com`** every time.
</Note>

### Why Use the Shortcut?

1. **Saves Time:** It's faster to type `@` than the full domain name.
2. **Keeps it Clean:** It makes your configuration file much easier to read and manage.

### Practical Equivalence

Both of these records do the exact same job:

| Type | Name  | Mail server      | TTL  | Priority |
| :--- | :---- | :--------------- | :--- | :------- |
| MX   | **@** | mail.davnode.com | Auto | 10       |

***is the simple way of writing:***

| Type | Name               | Mail server      | TTL  | Priority |
| :--- | :----------------- | :--------------- | :--- | :------- |
| MX   | mycustomdomain.com | mail.davnode.com | Auto | 10       |

***

## Appendix: DNS Record Reference

Below is a detailed explanation of the records configured in the previous step.

### MX Record (Mail Exchange)

Function: Routes incoming email. Directs the internet to deliver emails addressed to your domain to Davnode's mail servers.

DNS Zone file

| Type | Name | Mail server      | TTL  | Priority |
| :--- | :--- | :--------------- | :--- | :------- |
| MX   | @    | mail.davnode.com | Auto | 10       |

```plaintext Mail server theme={null}
mail.davnode.com
```

### TXT Record (SPF)

Function: Sender Policy Framework (Anti-Spam). Authorizes Davnode's servers to send email on your behalf, preventing your messages from being flagged as spam by receivers.

DNS Zone file

| Type | Name | Content                                  | TTL  |
| :--- | :--- | :--------------------------------------- | :--- |
| TXT  | @    | "v=spf1 include:\_spf.davnode.com \~all" | Auto |

```plaintext Content theme={null}
"v=spf1 include:_spf.davnode.com ~all"
```

### CNAME (DMARC)

Function: Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance. Instructs external email providers on how to handle emails that fail authentication (e.g., attempts to spoof your domain).

DNS Zone file

| Type  | Name    | Target              | TTL  |
| :---- | :------ | :------------------ | :--- |
| CNAME | \_dmarc | \_dmarc.davnode.com | Auto |

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name theme={null}
  _dmarc
  ```

  ```plaintext Target theme={null}
  _dmarc.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### CNAME (DKIM)

Function: DomainKeys Identified Mail. Adds a cryptographic signature to your emails, allowing the receiver to verify that the email was actually sent by you and was not altered in transit.

DNS Zone file

| Type  | Name            | Target                      | TTL  |
| :---- | :-------------- | :-------------------------- | :--- |
| CNAME | ed.\_domainkey  | ed.\_domainkey.davnode.com  | Auto |
| CNAME | rsa.\_domainkey | rsa.\_domainkey.davnode.com | Auto |

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (ed._domainkey) theme={null}
  ed._domainkey
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (ed._domainkey) theme={null}
  ed._domainkey.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (rsa._domainkey) theme={null}
  rsa._domainkey
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (rsa._domainkey) theme={null}
  rsa._domainkey.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### CNAME (MTA-STS)

Function: Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security. Enforces TLS encryption for incoming emails, ensuring that messages sent to you are secure while in transit.

DNS Zone file

| Type  | Name         | Target                   | TTL  |
| :---- | :----------- | :----------------------- | :--- |
| CNAME | mta-sts      | mail.davnode.com         | Auto |
| CNAME | \_mta-sts    | \_mta-sts.davnode.com    | Auto |
| CNAME | \_smtp.\_tls | \_smtp.\_tls.davnode.com | Auto |

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (mta-sts) theme={null}
  mta-sts
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (mta-sts) theme={null}
  mail.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (_mta-sts) theme={null}
  _mta-sts
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (_mta-sts) theme={null}
  _mta-sts.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (_smtp._tls) theme={null}
  _smtp._tls
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (_smtp._tls) theme={null}
  _smtp._tls.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### CNAME (Autodiscover)

Function: Client Auto-Configuration. Allows email clients (Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird) to automatically detect server settings, requiring only your email and password for setup.

DNS Zone file

| Type  | Name         | Target           | TTL  |
| :---- | :----------- | :--------------- | :--- |
| CNAME | autoconfig   | mail.davnode.com | Auto |
| CNAME | autodiscover | mail.davnode.com | Auto |

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (autoconfig) theme={null}
  autoconfig
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (autoconfig) theme={null}
  mail.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (autodiscover) theme={null}
  autodiscover
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (autodiscover) theme={null}
  mail.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### CNAME (DAVs)

Function: Service Discovery. Enables automatic discovery for Calendar (CalDAV) and Contact (CardDAV) synchronization across devices.

DNS Zone file

| Type  | Name             | Target                       | TTL  |
| :---- | :--------------- | :--------------------------- | :--- |
| CNAME | \_caldavs.\_tcp  | \_caldavs.\_tcp.davnode.com  | Auto |
| CNAME | \_carddavs.\_tcp | \_carddavs.\_tcp.davnode.com | Auto |

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (_caldavs._tcp) theme={null}
  _caldavs._tcp
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (_caldavs._tcp) theme={null}
  _caldavs._tcp.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<CodeGroup>
  ```plaintext Name (_carddavs._tcp) theme={null}
  _carddavs._tcp
  ```

  ```plaintext Target (_carddavs._tcp) theme={null}
  _carddavs._tcp.davnode.com
  ```
</CodeGroup>