DNS Setup Guide
Configure your domain's DNS settings to connect it to your Tokly project. Follow our step-by-step guide for quick and easy setup.
What is DNS?
Domain Name System
DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet's phone book. It translates human-readable domain names (like yourtoken.com) into IP addresses that computers can understand.
yourtoken.com
Your domain
76.76.21.21
Vercel server
DNS records tell browsers where to find your website
Configuration Methods
Choose one of these methods to connect your domain to Tokly:
CNAME Record
RecommendedEasiest method. Keep your current DNS provider and add a single CNAME record.
Vercel Nameservers
AdvancedTransfer DNS management to Vercel for full control and faster propagation.
Option 1: CNAME Record Setup
Step-by-Step Instructions
Login to your domain provider
Go to your domain registrar (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.) and find the DNS settings page.
Add a CNAME record
Create a new DNS record with these values:
Type
CNAME
Name
www
or @ for root domain (if supported)
Value
cname.vercel-dns.com
TTL
3600
or leave as default
Save your changes
Save the DNS record and wait for propagation (typically 5-30 minutes).
Verify configuration
Tokly will automatically detect and verify your DNS settings. SSL certificate will be issued once verified.
Note: Some DNS providers don't support CNAME records for apex domains (yourtoken.com without www). In this case, use the Vercel nameserver method instead.
Option 2: Vercel Nameserver Setup
Transfer DNS Management to Vercel
Login to your domain registrar
Access your domain provider's dashboard (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.).
Find nameserver settings
Look for "Nameservers", "DNS Servers", or "Name Server Management" in your domain settings.
Update nameservers
Replace existing nameservers with Vercel's:
Nameserver 1
ns1.vercel-dns.com
Nameserver 2
ns2.vercel-dns.com
Wait for propagation
Nameserver changes can take 24-48 hours to fully propagate, though they often complete in a few hours.
Advantage: This method gives you full DNS control and works with apex domains (e.g., yourtoken.com without www).
DNS Propagation
Understanding Propagation Time
DNS propagation is the time it takes for DNS changes to update across all servers worldwide. Think of it as spreading news across the internet.
CNAME Changes
Usually 5-30 minutes
Nameserver Changes
Can take 24-48 hours
Global Propagation
Varies by location
During propagation:
- Your domain may work in some locations but not others
- This is normal and temporary
- Tokly will automatically verify once propagation completes
Provider-Specific Guides
Quick reference for popular domain providers:
Namecheap
- 1. Domain List → Manage
- 2. Advanced DNS tab
- 3. Add New Record → CNAME Record
- 4. Host: www, Value: cname.vercel-dns.com
GoDaddy
- 1. My Products → DNS
- 2. DNS Management → Add
- 3. Type: CNAME
- 4. Name: www, Value: cname.vercel-dns.com
Cloudflare
- 1. Select domain → DNS
- 2. Add Record → CNAME
- 3. Name: www, Target: cname.vercel-dns.com
- 4. Proxy status: DNS only (gray cloud)
Google Domains
- 1. My domains → DNS
- 2. Custom resource records
- 3. Name: www, Type: CNAME
- 4. Data: cname.vercel-dns.com
Troubleshooting
Common DNS Issues
Domain not verifying after 24 hours
Double-check your DNS records for typos. Ensure you're using "cname.vercel-dns.com" exactly (no trailing dot or http://).
Use online DNS checker tools to verify your records
CNAME not allowed for root domain
Some providers don't support CNAME records for apex domains (e.g., yourtoken.com). Use the Vercel nameserver method instead, or use www.yourtoken.com.
Conflicting DNS records
Remove any existing A, AAAA, or CNAME records for the same hostname before adding your new CNAME record.
Domain shows old content
Clear your browser cache and DNS cache. On Windows, run "ipconfig /flushdns" in Command Prompt. On Mac, run "sudo dscacheutil -flushcache".
DNS Verification Tools
Check Your DNS Configuration
Use these free tools to verify your DNS records are configured correctly:
Need Help with DNS Setup?
If you're having trouble configuring DNS, our support team is here to help. We can guide you through the process step-by-step.