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 Forge site's CNAME target

Step-by-Step Configuration

1. 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

2. Configure DNS Records

You'll need to add the following DNS records:

• CNAME Record: Point your domain to your Forge site
• WWW CNAME: Point www.yourdomain.com to your Forge site
• A Record (optional): For root domain support

3. Add CNAME Record

In the Advanced DNS settings:

1. Click "Add New Record"
2. Select "CNAME Record" from the dropdown
3. Set Host to "@" (for root domain) or "www" (for www subdomain)
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