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

# Subdomain Setup

> Learn how to configure a custom subdomain for tracking link clicks and deep linking with Linkrunner

Subdomains let you use your own domain (e.g. `link.yourdomain.com`) for Linkrunner tracking links and deep links instead of a generic URL. This makes your links more branded and trustworthy to users.

**What you need:**

* A domain you own
* Access to your domain's DNS settings

## Step 1 — Choose a subdomain

From the [Linkrunner dashboard](https://dashboard.linkrunner.io), go to **Settings > Subdomains** and click **Add Subdomain**. Enter a subdomain prefix (e.g. `link`, `app`, `get`, `open`) and your domain name.

Your subdomain will look like: `subdomain.yourdomain.com`

## Step 2 — Add a CNAME record

Go to your domain registrar's DNS settings and add a **CNAME** record with these values:

| Name             | Type  | Value               |
| ---------------- | ----- | ------------------- |
| `your-subdomain` | CNAME | `api.linkrunner.io` |

For example, if your subdomain is `link.example.com`, set:

* **Name:** `link`
* **Type:** CNAME
* **Value:** `api.linkrunner.io`

### Provider-specific guides

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="GoDaddy">
    1. Log in to your [GoDaddy account](https://account.godaddy.com/) and go to **My Products**
    2. Find your domain and click **DNS** (or **Manage DNS**)
    3. Click **Add New Record**
    4. Select **CNAME** as the record type
    5. In the **Name** field, enter your subdomain prefix (e.g. `link`)
    6. In the **Value** field, enter `api.linkrunner.io`
    7. Leave **TTL** as the default (or set to 1 hour)
    8. Click **Save**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="AWS Route 53">
    1. Open the [Route 53 console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/route53/) and go to **Hosted zones**
    2. Click on your domain name
    3. Click **Create record**
    4. Enter your subdomain prefix in the **Record name** field (e.g. `link`)
    5. Set **Record type** to **CNAME**
    6. In the **Value** field, enter `api.linkrunner.io`
    7. Leave **TTL** as `300` (or your preferred value)
    8. Click **Create records**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Namecheap">
    1. Log in to your [Namecheap account](https://www.namecheap.com/) and go to **Domain List**
    2. Click **Manage** next to your domain
    3. Go to the **Advanced DNS** tab
    4. Click **Add New Record**
    5. Select **CNAME Record** as the type
    6. In the **Host** field, enter your subdomain prefix (e.g. `link`)
    7. In the **Target** field, enter `api.linkrunner.io`
    8. Leave **TTL** as **Automatic**
    9. Click the **checkmark** to save
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Cloudflare">
    <Warning>
      You **must** turn off Cloudflare's proxy for this record.
    </Warning>

    1. Log in to your [Cloudflare dashboard](https://dash.cloudflare.com/) and select your domain
    2. Go to **DNS > Records**
    3. Click **Add record**
    4. Set **Type** to **CNAME**
    5. In the **Name** field, enter your subdomain prefix (e.g. `link`)
    6. In the **Target** field, enter `api.linkrunner.io`
    7. Set the **Proxy status** to **DNS only** (grey cloud icon)
    8. Click **Save**
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Step 3 — Verification

After adding the CNAME record, Linkrunner automatically checks your DNS configuration and provisions an SSL certificate.

* **CNAME Not Verified** — DNS record hasn't been detected yet. This can take a few minutes to propagate.
* **CNAME Verified** — Your DNS record is correctly pointing to `api.linkrunner.io`.
* **SSL Active** — Your SSL certificate has been provisioned. Your subdomain is fully ready to use.

You can click the **refresh** button next to your subdomain in the dashboard to manually re-check the status.

## Troubleshooting

**DNS propagation delay**
DNS changes can take up to 24–48 hours to propagate globally, though most providers update within a few minutes. If your CNAME isn't verified after adding it, wait and try refreshing later.

**Wrong CNAME value**
Make sure the CNAME value is exactly `api.linkrunner.io` — not your subdomain URL, not an IP address.

**Cloudflare proxy interference**
If you use Cloudflare, ensure the proxy status is set to **DNS only** (grey cloud). The orange cloud (proxied) mode will interfere with SSL certificate provisioning.

**SSL still pending**
SSL provisioning happens automatically after CNAME verification and usually takes a few minutes. If it remains inactive after 30 minutes with a verified CNAME, contact support.

## Managing subdomains

From the **Settings > Subdomains** page in the dashboard, you can:

* **Add** new subdomains to your project
* **Delete** subdomains you no longer need
* **Monitor** the CNAME and SSL status of each subdomain