Domain DNS basics: A records, CNAME and propagation

DNS is the phonebook of the internet. It turns your domain name into the address of your server. You manage it at your domain registrar or wherever your nameservers are set.

The records you need

• A record: points a name to an IPv4 address, for example your bare domain to your server's IP.
• AAAA record: the same thing for an IPv6 address.
• CNAME record: makes one name an alias of another name. It is commonly used for www.
• TXT record: holds text, often for verification.

A CNAME cannot normally share a name with other records, and many providers do not allow it on the bare domain. Use an A record there.

Pointing your domain at your server

1. Get your server's IP address from us or from your panel.
2. Log in to your DNS provider.
3. Add an A record for the bare domain (often shown as @) with that IP.
4. Add a CNAME for www pointing to your bare domain, or a second A record.
5. Remove old records that conflict with the new ones.
6. Save and wait.

What is propagation?

DNS answers are cached around the world for a time set by the TTL value on each record. After a change, some places show the old answer until their cache expires. It can be quick or take hours, and some changes may take up to a day or more. Lowering the TTL a day before a planned move can help.

Checking your records

• Use an online DNS lookup tool to see the current answer.
• Try from a phone on mobile data to bypass your home network cache.
• Flush your local DNS cache if your own computer still shows the old site.

Common mistakes

• Typing the wrong IP address.
• Editing DNS at the registrar while the nameservers point elsewhere.
• Forgetting the www record.
• Adding records with the wrong name, such as repeating the domain twice.

If it still fails after a day, send us your domain name and the records you set through our Discord.