Skip to content

Setting Up Domains

Step-by-step guide to configuring custom domains for your deployments

Adding a custom domain to your deployment is straightforward. This guide will walk you through the process.

  1. 1

    Navigate to Domains

    Go to Deployment → Settings → Domains or navigate to Project → Domains.
    Sproobo domains navigation
    Navigate to the Domains section in your deployment settings.
  2. 2

    Add Domain

    Click "Add Domain" or "Connect Domain" button.
    Sproobo add domain button
    Click Add Domain to start configuring a custom domain.
  3. 3

    Enter Domain

    Enter your domain name (e.g., "example.com" or "app.example.com").
    ℹ️

    You can add both root domains (example.com) and subdomains (app.example.com).

    Sproobo domain input form
    Enter your domain name in the domain configuration form.
  4. 4

    Choose DNS Configuration Method

    You have two options for configuring your domain:

    Option 1: Use Nameservers (Recommended)

    Point your domain's nameservers to Hetzner. This gives Hetzner full control over your DNS and is the easiest method. See the "Configuring Nameservers" section below for detailed instructions.

    Option 2: Use A/CNAME Records

    Add A or CNAME records at your current DNS provider. Use this if you want to keep DNS management at your registrar or DNS provider.

    Sproobo DNS configuration method selection
    Choose between nameservers or A/CNAME records for your domain configuration.
  5. 5

    Get DNS Configuration

    If using A/CNAME records, Sproobo will provide DNS records you need to add:
    • A Record: IP address to point your domain to
    • CNAME Record: Alternative DNS record (for subdomains)
    • Verification Record: TXT record for domain verification
    Sproobo DNS configuration instructions
    Sproobo provides DNS records you need to add to your domain provider.
  6. 6

    Configure DNS

    Add the DNS records in your domain provider's DNS settings (if using A/CNAME method):

    DNS Configuration Steps

    • Log in: Access your domain registrar or DNS provider
    • Find DNS Settings: Locate DNS management or DNS records section
    • Add Records: Add the A or CNAME record provided by Sproobo
    • Save Changes: Save your DNS changes
    DNS provider DNS records configuration
    Add the DNS records in your domain provider's DNS settings.
  7. 7

    Wait for DNS Propagation

    Wait for DNS changes to propagate (typically 5-60 minutes, but can take up to 48 hours).
    ℹ️

    You can check DNS propagation status in Sproobo while waiting.

    Sproobo DNS propagation status
    Monitor DNS propagation status in Sproobo.
  8. 8

    Verify Domain

    Once DNS has propagated, Sproobo will automatically verify the domain and configure SSL.
    Sproobo domain verification status
    Sproobo automatically verifies your domain and sets up SSL.
  9. 9

    Domain Ready

    Once verified, your domain will be:
    • Connected to your deployment
    • SSL certificate automatically provisioned
    • HTTPS redirect configured
    • Ready to serve traffic
    Sproobo domain connected and ready
    Your domain is now connected and serving HTTPS traffic.

Configuring Nameservers (Alternative Method)

Instead of using A or CNAME records, you can point your domain to Hetzner by configuring nameservers. This method is recommended for domains purchased from providers like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, or any other registrar.

ℹ️

Using nameservers gives Hetzner full control over your domain's DNS, making it easier to manage all DNS records in one place. This is the recommended approach for most users.

Step 1: Get Your Nameservers

Point your domain's nameservers to Hetzner's nameservers:

  • hydrogen.ns.hetzner.com
  • oxygen.ns.hetzner.com
  • helium.ns.hetzner.de

Hetzner Nameservers

hydrogen.ns.hetzner.com
oxygen.ns.hetzner.com
helium.ns.hetzner.de

Step 2: Configure Nameservers at Your Domain Provider

The exact steps vary by provider, but the general process is the same:

  1. 1

    Log in to Your Domain Registrar

    Access your domain registrar account (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.).
    Domain registrar login page
    Log in to your domain registrar account.
  2. 2

    Navigate to DNS Settings

    Find the DNS or Nameserver settings for your domain. This is usually under:
    • Domain Settings → DNS
    • Domain Management → Nameservers
    • Advanced DNS → Nameservers
    Domain registrar DNS settings page
    Navigate to the DNS or Nameserver settings for your domain.
  3. 3

    Change Nameservers

    Replace the default nameservers with Hetzner's nameservers:
    text
    hydrogen.ns.hetzner.com
oxygen.ns.hetzner.com
helium.ns.hetzner.de
    Domain registrar nameserver configuration form
    Enter Hetzner's nameservers in your domain registrar's nameserver settings.
  4. 4

    Save Changes

    Save your changes. The nameserver update may take a few minutes to process.
    ⚠️

    Changing nameservers can take up to 24-48 hours to fully propagate. Your domain may be temporarily unavailable during this time.

    Domain registrar nameserver save confirmation
    Save the nameserver changes and wait for propagation.

Provider-Specific Instructions

GoDaddy

  1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
  2. Go to "My Products" → "Domains"
  3. Click on your domain name
  4. Scroll to "Additional Settings" → "Manage DNS"
  5. Click "Change" next to Nameservers
  6. Select "Custom" and enter the three Hetzner nameservers
  7. Click "Save"

Namecheap

  1. Log in to your Namecheap account
  2. Go to "Domain List"
  3. Click "Manage" next to your domain
  4. Go to the "Advanced DNS" tab
  5. Scroll to "Nameservers" section
  6. Select "Custom DNS"
  7. Enter the three Hetzner nameservers
  8. Click the checkmark to save

Google Domains

  1. Log in to Google Domains
  2. Select your domain
  3. Click "DNS" in the left sidebar
  4. Scroll to "Name servers" section
  5. Click "Use custom name servers"
  6. Enter the three Hetzner nameservers
  7. Click "Save"

Cloudflare

  1. Log in to your Cloudflare account
  2. Select your domain
  3. Go to "DNS" → "Nameservers"
  4. Click "Change nameservers"
  5. Enter the three Hetzner nameservers
  6. Click "Continue" and confirm

Step 3: Configure Domain in Hetzner

After updating nameservers, configure your domain in Hetzner Cloud:

  1. 1

    Access Hetzner DNS

    Log in to your Hetzner Cloud console and navigate to your project.
  2. 2

    Add DNS Zone

    Go to "DNS" → "Zones" and click "Add DNS Zone".
    Hetzner Cloud DNS zones page
    Add a new DNS zone for your domain in Hetzner Cloud.
  3. 3

    Enter Domain

    Enter your domain name (e.g., "example.com") and create the zone.
    Hetzner Cloud DNS zone creation form
    Enter your domain name to create the DNS zone.
  4. 4

    Configure DNS Records

    Add the necessary DNS records (A, CNAME, etc.) as provided by Sproobo.
    Hetzner Cloud DNS records configuration
    Add DNS records for your domain in Hetzner Cloud.

Nameservers vs. A/CNAME Records

When to Use Nameservers

  • You want Hetzner to manage all DNS records
  • You're setting up a new domain
  • You don't need to keep other DNS records at your registrar
  • You want centralized DNS management

When to Use A/CNAME Records

  • You need to keep other DNS records at your current provider
  • You're using a DNS provider like Cloudflare for additional features
  • You want to keep your domain's DNS management at your registrar
  • You need to point only specific subdomains to Hetzner

DNS Configuration Examples

Adding A Record (Root Domain)

For root domains like example.com:

Type: A
Name: @ (or blank, depending on provider)
Value: [IP address provided by Sproobo]
TTL: 3600 (or default)
DNS A record configuration example
Example A record configuration for root domain.

Adding CNAME Record (Subdomain)

For subdomains like app.example.com:

Type: CNAME
Name: app
Value: [CNAME target provided by Sproobo]
TTL: 3600 (or default)
DNS CNAME record configuration example
Example CNAME record configuration for subdomain.

Multiple Domains

You can add multiple domains to a single deployment:

  1. 1

    Add Additional Domain

    Click "Add Domain" again to add another domain.
  2. 2

    Configure DNS

    Configure DNS records for each additional domain.
  3. 3

    All Domains Active

    All domains will be active and serve the same deployment with SSL certificates for each.
    Sproobo multiple domains configured
    View all configured domains for your deployment.

Troubleshooting DNS

Common DNS Issues

  • DNS Not Propagating: Wait up to 48 hours, check DNS propagation tools
  • Wrong IP Address: Verify the A record points to the correct IP
  • CNAME Conflicts: Don't use CNAME for root domains, use A record
  • TTL Issues: Lower TTL for faster updates during configuration

Domains Behind a Proxy (Cloudflare)

If your domain is behind a proxy such as Cloudflare (with "Proxied" / orange cloud enabled), Let's Encrypt must still reach your origin server to complete the HTTP-01 challenge for SSL certificates. If certificate issuance fails with a 404 on the ACME challenge:

  • Option 1: Set the subdomain to DNS only (grey cloud) in Cloudflare during the first certificate request, then re-enable proxy after the certificate is issued.
  • Option 2: Ensure the proxy forwards HTTP traffic to your origin on port 80 so the challenge file at /.well-known/acme-challenge/ can be served.

The "Domain is behind a proxy" setting in Sproobo only relaxes DNS checks (e.g. it does not require the domain to resolve to your server's IP). HTTP-01 validation still requires the challenge URL to be reachable from the internet, either directly at your origin or via the proxy.

Next Steps

Now that your domain is configured: