PocketHost instances can use custom domains instead of the default *.pockethost.io
subdomain. There are no limits on the number of domains you can add to an instance.
Setting up a custom domain is straightforward:
Verification typically takes seconds to minutes, assuming your CNAME record has propagated. PocketHost will automatically check your domain status, or you can manually refresh by clicking the refresh button next to any domain.
Create a CNAME record with your DNS provider:
api
for api.yourdomain.com
) or @
for root domainyour-instance-name.pockethost.io
)PocketHost uses Cloudflare’s HTTP verification system to confirm domain ownership. Once your CNAME record has propagated (usually within minutes), verification will complete automatically.
You can check the status anytime in your dashboard or click the refresh button to manually trigger a verification check.
All static files in your instance’s pb_public
directory will be served through your custom domain over HTTPS, making it perfect for static sites and assets.
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS record that maps one domain name to another. When you create a CNAME record pointing your domain to your PocketHost instance, visitors to your custom domain will be directed to your PocketHost instance.
For example, if you create a CNAME record:
api.yourdomain.com
your-instance.pockethost.io
When someone visits api.yourdomain.com
, they’ll actually be connecting to your PocketHost instance.
You don’t need to transfer your domain to a new registrar to manage DNS settings. You can:
Traditional DNS doesn’t allow CNAME records on root domains (e.g., yourdomain.com
). However, Cloudflare provides CNAME flattening, which allows root domains to work like CNAMEs. This means you can point your root domain directly to your PocketHost instance.
We recommend Cloudflare because: