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Connecting Your Branded Custom Domain

Using a custom branded domain (e.g. link.yourbrand.com/launch instead of generic URLs) reinforces brand trust and increases click-through rates by up to 34%.
In this tutorial, you will connect your own domain to Shaf, configure the required DNS CNAME record at your DNS provider, and verify automatic SSL/TLS certificate provisioning.

What You Will Build

Production Deliverable
  • Custom Hostname: link.yourbrand.com (or your chosen subdomain)
  • SSL / TLS: Automated TLS 1.3 certificate issued and renewed with zero manual maintenance
  • Edge Routing: Anycast routing terminating at the nearest Cloudflare edge PoP
  • Fallbacks: Configured Root Redirect (/) and 404 Not Found fallback destinations

Edge DNS Resolution Architecture

When a visitor clicks your branded link, traffic flows through Shaf's global edge infrastructure:
Visitor Browser
      │
      ▼ (DNS Query for link.yourbrand.com)
Your DNS Registrar (CNAME: cname.shaf.app)
      │
      ▼
Cloudflare for SaaS Edge Network (330+ Global Cities)
      ├──> Auto TLS Handshake (Zero-config SSL)
      ├──> Shaf Edge Worker (KV/D1 lookup in < 5ms)
      └──> HTTP 308 Permanent Redirect to Destination URL

Prerequisites

  • Access to your domain registrar or DNS management dashboard (e.g. Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, AWS Route 53, Vercel).
  • A Shaf plan that includes custom domains (Starter, Pro, or Enterprise).

Step-by-Step Instructions

    Add the Domain in Shaf Console

    1. Navigate to your Shaf Dashboard and select your organization workspace.
    2. In the left sidebar, click Domains.
    3. Click the Add Domain button in the top right.
    4. Enter the hostname you want to use. We strongly recommend using a dedicated subdomain:
      link.yourbrand.com
      (or go.yourbrand.com, click.yourbrand.com, s.yourbrand.com).
    5. Click Add Domain. Shaf registers the custom hostname and begins listening for DNS routing.
    Subdomain vs Apex Root Domain: We recommend a subdomain like link.yourbrand.com rather than your apex root yourbrand.com. Using a subdomain prevents DNS conflicts with your primary website and MX email records.

    Configure Your DNS CNAME Record

    Open your DNS provider's dashboard and select your registrar below for tailored configuration instructions:
    1. Open your Cloudflare Dashboard and select your domain.
    2. Go to DNS -> Records -> Click Add record.
    3. Fill in the record values:
      • Type: CNAME
      • Name: link (or your chosen subdomain prefix)
      • Target: cname.shaf.app
      • Proxy status: DNS only (Click the orange cloud to turn it GREY)
      • TTL: Auto
    4. Click Save.
    Cloudflare Users Must Use DNS Only (Grey Cloud): Because Shaf already runs on Cloudflare for SaaS, proxying through Cloudflare twice (Orange Cloud) causes an HTTP 1000: DNS points to prohibited IP error. Set the proxy toggle to DNS only!