Custom domains
Connect your own domain to your static site so visitors reach your site at an address you control — for example, docs.example.com or example.com. Mincemeat handles SSL certificate provisioning automatically after you configure your DNS records.
Before you start
- You must be signed in.
- You must own the static site.
- You must have access to your domain's DNS settings at your DNS provider (such as Cloudflare, Namecheap, GoDaddy, or your registrar).
- Your site should have at least one active deployment so visitors see content when the domain goes live.
Subdomain vs apex domain
Mincemeat supports two types of custom domains:
| Type | Example | DNS record |
|---|---|---|
| Subdomain | docs.example.com, blog.example.com | CNAME |
| Apex domain | example.com | CNAME flattening, ALIAS, ANAME, or A/AAAA records |
Subdomains are simpler to set up because they use a standard CNAME record. Apex domains require your DNS provider to support one of several special record types.
Connect a subdomain
Open the site detail view.
Select the Domains tab.
Select Add domain.
Enter your subdomain (for example,
docs.example.com).Select Add.
Mincemeat displays a CNAME target — a hostname that you need to point your DNS record to.
Go to your DNS provider and create a CNAME record:
Field Value Type CNAME Name docs(or the subdomain prefix you chose)Target The CNAME target shown by Mincemeat TTL Auto or 300 seconds Return to Mincemeat. The domain status shows Pending CNAME while DNS propagation is in progress.
Connect an apex domain
Apex domains (for example, example.com without a subdomain prefix) require your DNS provider to support CNAME-like records at the zone apex.
Option 1: CNAME flattening, ALIAS, or ANAME
If your DNS provider supports one of these features, set up the record the same way as a subdomain:
| DNS provider | Feature name |
|---|---|
| Cloudflare DNS | CNAME flattening |
| DNSimple | ALIAS |
| Namecheap | ALIAS |
| Hover | ALIAS |
| Bunny DNS | ANAME |
Create the record at your DNS provider:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | CNAME, ALIAS, or ANAME (depending on your provider) |
| Name | @ or your apex domain |
| Target | The CNAME target shown by Mincemeat |
| TTL | Auto or 300 seconds |
Option 2: A and AAAA records
If your DNS provider does not support CNAME-like records at the apex, Mincemeat may display A and AAAA records instead. This option depends on your platform configuration.
Create the records at your DNS provider:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | A |
| Name | @ or your apex domain |
| Value | The IPv4 address shown by Mincemeat |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | AAAA |
| Name | @ or your apex domain |
| Value | The IPv6 address shown by Mincemeat |
A/AAAA records must stay stable
Unlike CNAME records, A and AAAA records point to specific IP addresses. If the platform addresses change, you must update your DNS records. Mincemeat will notify you if this happens, but prefer CNAME flattening or ALIAS if your DNS provider supports it.
Domain validation process
After you add your DNS records, Mincemeat validates the domain automatically:
- Pending CNAME — Mincemeat is waiting for your DNS record to propagate. Validation checks run periodically.
- Provider validating — the DNS record was found. SSL certificate provisioning is in progress.
- SSL Active — the certificate is issued and your domain is fully operational. Visitors can access your site at the custom domain.
The entire process typically takes 5 to 30 minutes, depending on DNS propagation speed.
Domain statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending provision | The domain is being registered with the certificate provider. |
| Pending CNAME | Waiting for you to add the DNS record and for it to propagate. |
| Provider validating | DNS record found. The provider is validating and issuing the SSL certificate. |
| SSL Active | Domain is fully operational with a valid SSL certificate. |
| CNAME Failed | DNS validation did not complete within the allowed time. |
| Error | A provisioning error occurred. |
Check domain status
- Open the site detail view.
- Select the Domains tab.
- Each domain shows its current status. Select a domain for more detail, including the CNAME target and any error messages.
Retry a failed domain
If a domain shows CNAME Failed or Error:
- Verify that your DNS record exists and points to the correct target.
- Open the domain detail view.
- Select Retry.
- Mincemeat resets the validation process and begins checking again.
Remove a custom domain
- Open the site detail view.
- Select the Domains tab.
- Select the domain you want to remove.
- Select Remove.
- Confirm the removal.
The domain is disconnected immediately. Visitors to that domain will no longer reach your site. You should also remove or update the DNS record at your DNS provider.
Multiple custom domains
You can connect more than one custom domain to the same site. All custom domains serve the same active deployment. This is useful when you want both example.com and www.example.com to point to the same site.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Domain stuck on Pending CNAME | Verify the DNS record at your provider. Make sure the CNAME target matches exactly. Allow up to 30 minutes for propagation. |
| Domain shows CNAME Failed | The DNS record was not found within the validation period. Check the record exists and is correct, then select Retry. |
| Domain shows Error | Note the error message and try Retry. If the error recurs, contact support. |
| Custom domain loads but shows wrong content | Make sure the domain is attached to the correct site. Check the Domains tab to confirm. |
| SSL certificate warning in browser | The certificate may still be provisioning. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the status shows SSL Active and the warning persists, clear your browser cache. |
| Apex domain not resolving | Your DNS provider may not support CNAME flattening or ALIAS records at the apex. Check the provider table above or use A/AAAA records if available. |