DNS Configuration

Overview

To use RndrKit, you need to point your domain's DNS records to RndrKit's servers. This is done by creating a CNAME record that directs traffic from your domain to cname.rndrkit.io.

Required DNS Record

Create the following CNAME record at your DNS provider:

TypeNameValueTTL
CNAMEwwwcname.rndrkit.ioAuto

This tells DNS to route all traffic for www.yourdomain.com through RndrKit's infrastructure.

Apex Domain (Optional)

If you want yourdomain.com (without www) to also work, you need an additional record to handle the apex domain. RndrKit will automatically redirect apex domain visitors to the www version.

The approach depends on your DNS provider:

  • Cloudflare: Use a CNAME record at the apex -- Cloudflare supports CNAME flattening.
  • Other providers: Create an A record pointing to RndrKit's server IP. Contact support for the current IP address.

Provider-Specific Instructions

Cloudflare

  1. Log in to the Cloudflare dashboard.
  2. Select your domain.
  3. Go to DNS > Records.
  4. Click Add Record.
  5. Set:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: www
    • Target: cname.rndrkit.io
    • Proxy status: DNS only (gray cloud)
  6. Click Save.

Important: The proxy status must be DNS only (gray cloud icon), not Proxied (orange cloud). If Cloudflare's proxy is enabled, traffic will route through Cloudflare instead of RndrKit, and bot detection will not work correctly.

If you also want the apex domain:

  1. Add another CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: @ (or your domain name)
    • Target: cname.rndrkit.io
    • Proxy status: DNS only

GoDaddy

  1. Log in to GoDaddy and go to My Products.
  2. Find your domain and click DNS.
  3. In the Records section, click Add.
  4. Set:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: www
    • Value: cname.rndrkit.io
    • TTL: Default
  5. Click Save.

If there is an existing CNAME record for www, edit it instead of creating a new one.

Namecheap

  1. Log in to Namecheap and go to Domain List.
  2. Click Manage next to your domain.
  3. Go to the Advanced DNS tab.
  4. Click Add New Record.
  5. Set:
    • Type: CNAME Record
    • Host: www
    • Value: cname.rndrkit.io
    • TTL: Automatic
  6. Click the checkmark to save.

Google Domains / Squarespace Domains

  1. Go to Google Domains (now Squarespace Domains).
  2. Select your domain and go to DNS.
  3. Under Custom Records, click Manage custom records.
  4. Add a record:
    • Host name: www
    • Type: CNAME
    • Data: cname.rndrkit.io
  5. Click Save.

Vercel DNS

If your domain is managed through Vercel:

  1. Go to your Vercel project settings.
  2. Navigate to Domains.
  3. Remove the existing www configuration.
  4. Go to Domains at the account level.
  5. Add a CNAME record:
    • Name: www
    • Value: cname.rndrkit.io

Verifying DNS Propagation

After updating your DNS records, you can verify propagation using the dig command:

dig www.example.com CNAME +short

The output should show:

cname.rndrkit.io.

You can also check propagation status using online tools like whatsmydns.net. DNS changes typically propagate within minutes but can take up to 24 hours in some cases.

Common DNS Mistakes

  • Cloudflare proxy enabled: Make sure the orange cloud is turned off (DNS only mode). RndrKit needs direct access to handle bot detection.
  • Conflicting records: Remove any existing A or CNAME records for www before adding the RndrKit CNAME.
  • TTL too high: If you set a high TTL previously, old records may be cached longer. Lower the TTL before making changes, wait for the old TTL to expire, then update.

Next Steps

After configuring DNS:

  1. Wait for propagation (check with dig or whatsmydns.net).
  2. Verify your SSL certificate is active -- see SSL Verification.
  3. Test bot rendering with a curl command to confirm everything is working.

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Adding Domains

Next

SSL Verification