Namecheap Domain Setup

This guide walks you through configuring your Namecheap domain to work with your Forge site.

Overview

Namecheap is a popular domain registrar that provides excellent DNS management tools. This guide shows you how to configure your Namecheap domain for use with Forge.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• A domain registered with Namecheap
• Access to your Namecheap account
• A deployed Forge site
• Your site's IP address from Site Settings > Custom Domains in the Forge dashboard

Step-by-Step Configuration

1. Get Your Forge IP Address

1. Log into your Forge dashboard
2. Navigate to your site's Settings > Custom Domains
3. Note the IP address displayed for A record configuration

2. Access Namecheap DNS Settings

1. Log into your Namecheap account
2. Go to "Domain List"
3. Click "Manage" next to your domain
4. Navigate to the "Advanced DNS" tab

3. Configure DNS Records

In the Advanced DNS settings, add the following records:

For root domain (yourdomain.com):

1. Click "Add New Record"
2. Select "A Record" from the dropdown
3. Set Host to "@"
4. Set Value to the IP address from your Forge site settings
5. Set TTL to "Automatic"
6. Click the checkmark to save

For www subdomain:

1. Click "Add New Record"
2. Select "CNAME Record" from the dropdown
3. Set Host to "www"
4. Set Value to your Forge site URL (e.g., yoursite.getforge.io)
5. Set TTL to "Automatic"
6. Click the checkmark to save

4. Verify Configuration

After adding the DNS records:

• Wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 48 hours)
• Test your domain by visiting it in a browser
• Check that SSL certificate is provisioned

Common Namecheap-Specific Issues

If you encounter problems:

• DNS propagation delays - Namecheap can take longer than other registrars
• TTL settings - Use automatic TTL for faster updates
• Record conflicts - Remove any conflicting A or CNAME records
• Domain parking - Ensure your domain isn't parked or redirected

Next Steps

After configuring your Namecheap domain:

• Add your domain in the Forge dashboard
• Wait for domain verification
• Test your site with the new domain
• Consider setting up email forwarding if needed