# Connect a custom domain

Your docs can live on a domain you own, like `help.acme.com`. To connect one, you add two DNS records, then let Clayo verify them. SSL is automatic. You need the owner or admin role.

## Add your domain

In Settings, under General, find Custom domain and enter the domain you want to use. A subdomain like `help.acme.com` or `docs.acme.com` is the usual choice; apex domains like `acme.com` work too.

![The custom domain control showing the CNAME and TXT records to add, with a Pending DNS status](https://d1fz24v557o32j.cloudfront.net/project-images/0319adcc-8d8c-4b62-8847-5f6ca52a92ff/5f623ee7-365f-4e7b-abca-908d3996c654.png)

## Add two DNS records

The dashboard shows the exact records for your domain. There are always two:

| Record | Name | Purpose |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CNAME (or A for an apex domain) | your domain | Routes traffic to your docs |
| TXT | `_clayo.yourdomain.com` | Proves you control the domain |

Add both with your DNS provider, using the exact values shown in the dashboard. The TXT record is what makes the connection safe: only someone who controls the DNS zone can attach the domain to a project.

## Check the status

Your domain moves through three states:

- Pending DNS: the records are not visible yet
- Needs verification: the domain is registered to another account with our hosting provider, and the TXT record resolves the ownership question
- Active: traffic is flowing and the SSL certificate is issued

:::callout{type="warning"}
The status only advances when you click Recheck. After adding your DNS records, come back to Settings and click Recheck; Clayo does not poll in the background.
:::

DNS changes can take from a few minutes to a few hours to propagate. If Recheck does not move the status, wait a little and try again.

## After it goes live

Once active, your custom domain becomes the canonical address. `yoursubdomain.clayo.site` permanently redirects to it, and your sitemap, llms.txt, internal links, and the URLs your agent reports all switch over automatically.

If you also set a docs base URL for [subpath hosting](/articles/subpath-hosting), the base URL wins and becomes the canonical address.

## Removing a domain

Remove the domain from the same settings row at any time. Your [clayo.site subdomain](/articles/your-subdomain) keeps working throughout, so removing a domain never takes your docs offline.