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To connect a custom domain to a site built in manual mode, assign the domain in the site dashboard, update DNS at the provider currently managing the domain, and publish the site. For an externally managed root domain, the current setup uses CNAME records—not A records—and DNS changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate.
Assign the domain to your site
- In the site dashboard, open Websites and select the AI Builder website, or create one.
- Choose Connect domain, enter your domain, and continue. If it is registered with another provider, confirm the prompt indicating that it is an external domain.
- Follow the dashboard’s instructions for the domain. A domain registered with the same provider may connect automatically; an externally registered domain generally needs DNS changes at its current domain or DNS provider.
Assigning the domain in the dashboard and pointing DNS are separate parts of the setup. Once you have made the DNS changes, return to the dashboard and confirm the update if prompted. Publish the site to make it live. The dashboard may show a connecting notice while DNS changes propagate. See the official connection steps.
Choose how to manage DNS for a root domain
For an externally registered root domain, there are two paths: change its nameservers so the site provider manages DNS, or keep DNS at your current provider and add the required CNAME records. The right choice depends on whether you want to retain existing DNS management and whether your provider supports the required root-domain record behavior.
| Setup path | Who manages DNS | Effect on existing records | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change nameservers | The site provider manages the DNS zone. | Existing DNS configuration may be replaced, including email, verification, and external-subdomain records. You may need to restore records you still use. | Use the exact nameserver values shown in your dashboard; they can vary. |
| Keep the current provider and add CNAMEs | Your existing DNS provider continues to manage the zone. | Existing email settings and other custom records are preserved, provided the required CNAME setup is supported. | The provider must support the root-domain record behavior required for the setup, such as CNAME flattening or an equivalent feature. |
Before switching nameservers, save a copy of the DNS records you need. A nameserver change can replace records used for email and other services; if you use a different email provider, you may need to restore its MX records afterward. Consult the service’s manual-mode DNS guide and A-record deprecation notice for the available approaches.
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Set up a root domain with CNAME records
If you keep DNS at your current provider, add the following records for an externally managed root domain:
| Type | Name | Target | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNAME | @ | connect.example.com |
Default or 14400 |
| CNAME | www | connect.example.com |
Default or 14400 |
- In the DNS manager for the domain, remove existing A and/or AAAA records for the root name (
@) that conflict with this configuration. - Add the two CNAME records shown above. Use the DNS provider’s default TTL or enter
14400if the provider requests a value. - Return to the site dashboard and confirm the DNS update if it offers that option. Then publish the site.
Manual mode does not support pointing the root domain with an A record. The service says this restriction took effect on May 20, 2026 for eligible externally registered domains that were not using its nameservers and were connected by A record; its current manual-mode guidance states that A-record pointing is unsupported. Do not use older instructions that direct the root domain to 34.120.137.41.
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Some DNS providers cannot configure the root-domain record behavior needed for this setup. The service’s stated alternatives are transferring the domain to it or using a DNS provider that supports CNAME flattening, such as Cloudflare. If neither suits your needs, a subdomain may be an option.
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For a subdomain such as shop.example.com, add a CNAME at the provider managing DNS. Use the subdomain label as the record name—shop in this example—and set the target to connect.example.com. Do not add a separate www record for the subdomain. If the domain already uses the service’s nameservers, no additional DNS action is required for the subdomain. Follow the subdomain connection guide for the corresponding dashboard steps.
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For a root domain managed through Cloudflare, create CNAME records for @ and www, both targeting connect.example.com. Set each record’s proxy status to DNS only while the connection is being established. You can enable the proxy after propagation. These instructions apply to manual mode; do not substitute DNS targets intended for agentic mode. See the Cloudflare-specific guide.
Allow time for DNS changes to take effect
For a domain registered externally, allow up to 24 hours for DNS propagation. This is the provider’s operational estimate, not a guarantee that every provider will finish within that period. A connecting notice during propagation does not by itself mean the configuration failed.
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Fix a 403 Forbidden error
A 403 response can indicate incorrect DNS, including a root A record that still points to an IP address. Check the DNS zone and setup in this order:
- For a root-domain CNAME setup, confirm that conflicting root A and AAAA records have been removed.
- Confirm that the
@andwwwCNAMEs targetconnect.example.com. - Check that you followed the manual-mode instructions rather than using legacy A-record directions or targets for another mode.
- Make sure the site has been published, then allow time for propagation.
For more checks, use the 403 troubleshooting guide.
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