Appwrite DNS service

Appwrite provides a dedicated DNS (Domain Name System) service through its appwrite.zone nameservers to help you manage domain records for your applications. This service is ideal for apex domains (root domains) that cannot use CNAME records due to DNS protocol limitations.

The DNS service enables you to configure custom domains for Sites, Functions, and APIs while providing automatic SSL certificate management and high availability. Whether you need to set up subdomains or apex domains, Appwrite's DNS service offers a complete solution.

Benefits

• Support for apex domains: Use root domains like example.com directly without workarounds
• Automatic SSL certificate management: All domains get valid SSL certificates automatically
• Integrated management: Simplified configuration for Sites, Functions, and APIs
• High availability: Built on reliable infrastructure with global distribution

Managing DNS records

You can manage DNS records for your domains in two places within the Appwrite Console:

Organization-level DNS management

To manage DNS records at the organization level:

1. Navigate to your organization in the Appwrite Console
2. Select the Domains tab
3. Here you can view and manage all your DNS records across different projects

This is the central place to manage domain records when you're using Appwrite's DNS service by configuring NS records to point to ns1.appwrite.zone and ns2.appwrite.zone.

Service-specific domain management

You can also manage domains directly from specific services:

• Sites: Navigate to a site and select the Domains tab
• Functions: Navigate to a function and select the Domains tab
• API Endpoints: Configure custom domains in your project settings under Settings > Custom domains

Record types

Appwrite DNS supports various DNS record types to meet your domain configuration needs:

Setting up apex domains

Apex domains (also known as root domains) are domains without a subdomain prefix, like example.com instead of www.example.com. Appwrite offers two methods for setting up apex domains:

Using NS records

This method delegates DNS management to Appwrite by changing your domain's nameservers:

1. Navigate to your domain registrar's DNS settings
2. Find the NS (nameserver) record settings
3. Replace the existing nameservers with ns1.appwrite.zone and ns2.appwrite.zone
4. Wait for DNS propagation (may take up to 48 hours)
5. Return to Appwrite Console to verify and configure domain settings

Using CNAME flattening

Some DNS providers support CNAME-like behavior at the apex level through a feature called CNAME flattening. This allows you to use your apex domain without delegating nameservers to Appwrite.

Depending on your DNS provider, this feature may be provided through CNAME records, ALIAS records, or ANAME records. Check your provider's documentation for the specific DNS record they support.

To use this method:

1. In the Appwrite Console, add your apex domain and copy the provided CNAME and CAA records
2. In your DNS provider's settings, create an ALIAS, ANAME, or CNAME record at the apex (depending on what your provider supports)
3. Point the record to the Appwrite hostname provided in the console
4. Add the CAA record at the apex level in your DNS provider's settings
5. Wait for DNS propagation (may take up to 48 hours)
6. Return to Appwrite Console to verify the domain

This method allows you to maintain control over your remaining DNS configuration while still using your apex domain with Appwrite.

Adding records in Appwrite

If you delegated your domain to Appwrite's DNS servers using NS records, you can add and manage records:

1. Navigate to your organization's Domains tab in the Appwrite Console
2. Find your domain and click Manage Records
3. Click Add Record and select the record type
4. Fill in the required information based on the record type
5. Save the record