Custom Domain Setup: testnet.createprotocol.org

Overview

This guide will help you configure the DApp to be hosted at testnet.createprotocol.org on Vercel.

Prerequisites

• ✅ DApp deployed on Vercel (project: kcolbchains-projects/dapp)
• ✅ Access to DNS management for createprotocol.org
• ✅ Vercel project is working and deployed

Step 1: Add Domain in Vercel Dashboard

1. Go to Vercel Project Settings

   • Visit: https://vercel.com/kcolbchains-projects/dapp/settings
   • Or: Dashboard → dapp project → Settings

2. Navigate to Domains

   • Click on Settings → Domains (in left sidebar)

3. Add Domain

   • Click Add or Add Domain button
   • Enter: testnet.createprotocol.org
   • Click Add

4. Vercel will show DNS configuration

   • You'll see something like:

     Type: CNAME
     Name: testnet
     Value: cname.vercel-dns.com

   • Or it might show A records (IPv4) or AAAA records (IPv6)
   • Copy these values - you'll need them for DNS setup

Step 2: Configure DNS Records

You need to add DNS records at your DNS provider (wherever createprotocol.org is managed).

Option A: CNAME Record (Recommended)

1. Go to your DNS provider (e.g., Cloudflare, Namecheap, GoDaddy, Route53)
2. Add a CNAME record:
   • Type: CNAME
   • Name/Host: testnet
   • Value/Target: cname.vercel-dns.com (or what Vercel shows)
   • TTL: 3600 (or default)

Option B: A Records (If CNAME not supported)

If your DNS provider doesn't support CNAME for root/subdomains, use A records:

1. Get Vercel IP addresses (Vercel will show these)
2. Add A records:
   • Type: A
   • Name: testnet
   • Value: Vercel's IP addresses (usually 2-4 IPs)
   • TTL: 3600

Step 3: Verify Domain

1. Wait for DNS propagation (5-60 minutes, usually ~15 minutes)

2. In Vercel Dashboard:

   • Go to Settings → Domains
   • You'll see testnet.createprotocol.org with status
   • Status will change from "Pending" to "Valid" when DNS is configured correctly

3. Check DNS propagation:

   # Check if DNS is resolving
   dig testnet.createprotocol.org
   # Or
   nslookup testnet.createprotocol.org

Step 4: SSL Certificate

• Vercel automatically provisions SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt
• This happens automatically once DNS is configured
• No action needed from you
• Certificate will be valid for testnet.createprotocol.org

Step 5: Update Environment Variables (If Needed)

If you need different configurations for the testnet domain:

1. Go to Settings → Environment Variables
2. Add/update variables for Production environment
3. Variables are already set, but verify:
   • NEXT_PUBLIC_CHAIN_ID=11155111 (Sepolia testnet)
   • All contract addresses are correct

Step 6: Test the Domain

Once DNS is configured and Vercel shows "Valid":

1. Visit: https://testnet.createprotocol.org
2. Verify:
   • ✅ Site loads correctly
   • ✅ SSL certificate is valid (HTTPS works)
   • ✅ Wallet connection works
   • ✅ Contract interactions work

Troubleshooting

Domain shows "Invalid Configuration"

• Check DNS records are correct
• Wait for propagation (can take up to 48 hours, usually much faster)
• Verify the CNAME/A record values match what Vercel shows

SSL Certificate not provisioning

• Wait - SSL provisioning can take 5-60 minutes after DNS is valid
• Check DNS is resolving correctly
• Verify domain is added correctly in Vercel

Site not loading

• Check Vercel deployment is successful
• Verify DNS is pointing to Vercel
• Check browser console for errors
• Try clearing browser cache

DNS not resolving

• Check DNS records are saved correctly
• Wait for propagation (up to 48 hours, usually 15-60 minutes)
• Verify TTL is not too high (3600 is good)
• Use dig or nslookup to check DNS

Current Vercel Project

• Project: kcolbchains-projects/dapp
• Project ID: prj_rpktE967bbTXaWjgdaqLgREC8N7V
• Current URL: https://dapp-*.vercel.app (auto-generated)
• Target URL: https://testnet.createprotocol.org

DNS Provider Examples

Cloudflare

1. Go to DNS → Records
2. Add record:
   • Type: CNAME
   • Name: testnet
   • Target: cname.vercel-dns.com
   • Proxy: Off (gray cloud) for initial setup
   • Save

Namecheap

1. Go to Domain List → Manage
2. Advanced DNS → Add New Record
3. Type: CNAME Record
4. Host: testnet
5. Value: cname.vercel-dns.com
6. Save

AWS Route53

1. Go to Hosted Zones → createprotocol.org
2. Create Record
3. Record name: testnet
4. Record type: CNAME
5. Value: cname.vercel-dns.com
6. Create

Next Steps After Domain is Live

1. ✅ Update any hardcoded URLs in code/docs
2. ✅ Test all functionality on the new domain
3. ✅ Update documentation with new URL
4. ✅ Share the URL with team/users
5. ✅ Set up monitoring/alerts if needed

Notes

• HTTPS is automatic - Vercel handles SSL certificates
• Custom domains are free on Vercel
• Multiple domains can point to the same project
• Preview deployments will still use .vercel.app URLs
• Production deployments will use your custom domain