# Connect an existing domain

> Already own a domain? Point it at your Vaulter app with a couple of DNS records.

If you already own a domain, you can point it at your Vaulter app. It takes a few DNS records at your current provider, and Vaulter walks you through each one.

Custom domains are available on the Pro and Teams plans.

## Before you start

You will need:

- A published app. Publish first, then connect the domain.
- Access to your domain's DNS settings, wherever you bought it.

## The steps

1. In **Vault → Domains**, add the domain you want to connect.
2. Vaulter immediately shows you the exact records to add. There are three, and each has a copy button:
   - A **CNAME** that points your domain at Vaulter, so traffic reaches your app.
   - A second **CNAME** used to issue your SSL certificate.
   - A **TXT** record that proves you control the domain.
3. Add those records at your domain provider.
4. Come back to Vaulter. The Domains panel checks progress automatically and shows a step-by-step provisioning bar; when the certificate is issued, the domain flips to **Connected** and your app is live on it over HTTPS.

## Root domains and www

If you connect a root domain like `example.com`, Vaulter serves your app at `www.example.com`, which is the form DNS providers can reliably point with a CNAME. Add a redirect or forward from the bare domain to `www` at your provider if you want both to work; most providers offer this as a one-click option.

## How long it takes

DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to take effect, depending on your provider. The panel keeps polling for you, so you can leave the page and come back. If it has been stuck for hours, re-check that each record's name and value exactly match what Vaulter shows, with no extra characters.

For a plain-language explanation of what each record is for, see the [DNS reference](/docs/developer/dns-reference).

> Prefer to skip DNS entirely? [Buy a domain](/docs/publish/buy-a-domain) inside Vaulter and everything, including these records, is handled for you.