> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.surfacd.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom Domains

> Connect your own branded domain to access Surfacd under your company's URL.

Use your own domain (e.g., `insights.yourcompany.com`) to access Surfacd with your branding.

## Overview

Custom domains allow your team to access Surfacd at a URL you control, such as:

* `insights.yourcompany.com`
* `ai-analytics.yourcompany.com`

This provides a seamless, branded experience for your team and stakeholders.

<Info>
  Contact your account manager to enable this feature.
</Info>

## How It Works

1. You choose a subdomain on your domain (e.g., `insights.yourcompany.com`)
2. You add a DNS record pointing to our service
3. We automatically provision an SSL certificate
4. Your team accesses Surfacd at your custom URL

Your existing team subdomain (e.g., `yourteam.surfacd.com`) continues to work alongside your custom domain.

## Setup Instructions

### Step 1: Choose Your Domain

Pick a subdomain you'd like to use. Common choices:

* `insights.yourcompany.com`
* `surfacd.yourcompany.com`
* `ai.yourcompany.com`
* `visibility.yourcompany.com`

<Warning>
  You must use a subdomain (e.g., `insights.yourcompany.com`), not your root domain (`yourcompany.com`).
</Warning>

### Step 2: Request Custom Domain

Contact your Surfacd account manager or support team with your desired domain. They will register it in our system.

### Step 3: Add DNS Record

Add a **CNAME** record in your DNS provider:

| Type  | Name                                  | Target               |
| ----- | ------------------------------------- | -------------------- |
| CNAME | `insights` (or your chosen subdomain) | `custom.surfacd.com` |

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Cloudflare">
    1. Go to your domain's DNS settings
    2. Click **Add Record**
    3. Select **CNAME** as the type
    4. Enter your subdomain name (e.g., `insights`)
    5. Enter `custom.surfacd.com` as the target
    6. **Disable the proxy** (grey cloud) - this is important
    7. Click **Save**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Route 53">
    1. Go to your hosted zone
    2. Click **Create Record**
    3. Enter your subdomain name
    4. Select **CNAME** as the record type
    5. Enter `custom.surfacd.com` as the target
    6. Click **Create records**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Other Providers">
    Look for DNS or Domain settings in your provider's dashboard. Add a CNAME record pointing your subdomain to `custom.surfacd.com`.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Step 4: Wait for Verification

After adding the DNS record:

1. DNS propagation takes **5 minutes to 48 hours** (usually under 1 hour)
2. SSL certificate is automatically provisioned
3. Your administrator will confirm when the domain is active

### Step 5: Access Your Custom Domain

Once active, visit your custom domain (e.g., `https://insights.yourcompany.com`).

<Note>
  You'll need to log in again on your custom domain. Sessions are separate between domains for security.
</Note>

## Troubleshooting

### Domain Shows "Pending"

The DNS record hasn't been detected yet. Check that:

* The CNAME record is correctly configured
* You're using a subdomain, not the root domain
* DNS has had time to propagate (wait up to 1 hour)
* If using Cloudflare, the proxy is **disabled** (grey cloud)

### SSL Certificate Error

SSL certificates are provisioned automatically. If you see certificate errors:

* Wait 15-30 minutes for the certificate to be issued
* Ensure no CAA records are blocking certificate issuance
* Contact your administrator if issues persist

### Can't Log In

If you're redirected back to the login page:

* Clear your browser cookies for the domain
* Ensure you're a member of the team that owns the custom domain
* Try using an incognito/private browser window

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I use my root domain?">
    No, custom domains must be subdomains (e.g., `insights.yourcompany.com`). Root domains (`yourcompany.com`) are not supported due to DNS limitations with CNAME records.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will my team subdomain stop working?">
    No, your existing team subdomain (e.g., `yourteam.surfacd.com`) continues to work. You can use both.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is my data separate between domains?">
    No, both domains access the same team and data. Only the login session is separate for security.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change my custom domain later?">
    Yes, contact your administrator to update your custom domain. Note that any bookmarks or shared links to the old domain will stop working.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to renew the SSL certificate?">
    No, SSL certificates are automatically renewed before expiration.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Need Help?

Contact your Surfacd administrator or reach out to our support team at [support@surfacd.com](mailto:support@surfacd.com).