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Move your custom domain to Nife

This guide points your own domain at an app or static site on Nife. Do it after your app works on its Nife URL. Nife issues the HTTPS certificate for you.

Before you start​

  • An app or static site that is deployed and active on Nife. For an app, it needs an external port.
  • A domain you own, and access to its DNS settings.

Step 1: Map the domain in Nife​

  1. In the Nife dashboard, go to Domains.
  2. Click Map Custom Domain.
  3. Choose Application or Static Site, then pick yours from the list.
  4. Enter your domain in lowercase, for example www.example.com or app.example.com.
  5. Review the connection details. Nife shows the DNS record type and the value to use.

Step 2: Update your DNS record​

  1. Open your domain provider and go to its DNS settings.
  2. Add a CNAME record. Use the subdomain part as the name, for example www. Use the value Nife showed you in Step 1 as the target.
  3. If your domain currently points at your old host, replace that record instead of adding a second one.

For a root domain such as example.com, many providers do not allow a CNAME. Use your provider's ALIAS or flattened CNAME option if it has one, or ask us at support@nife.io.

Step 3: Wait and check​

  1. DNS can take from a few minutes up to 24 hours to update.
  2. In Nife, go to Domains and find your domain. Check that its status is Active and that its SSL status shows the certificate is valid.
  3. Open your domain in a browser and check for the lock icon.

Nife's docs say it gets a certificate for your domain automatically once the DNS record is in place.

Step 4: Clean up​

Keep your old host running for a few days. When you are sure, remove the domain from the old host.

Troubleshooting​

  • Domain does not load: check the CNAME name and value at your provider, then wait for DNS to update.
  • Certificate still pending: it needs the DNS record to be correct first. Check again after DNS has updated.
  • Site shows the old host: your old record is still in place. Remove it.

More detail: Custom Domains and the Domains section of these docs. Need help? Email support@nife.io.