Adding a custom domain to your project

Every Orbit project gets a free kaps.run URL (e.g. my-app.kaps.run). You can replace this with your own domain, Kapsule provisions a free SSL certificate automatically.

Before you start

You need:

• An Orbit project with at least one successful deployment
• A domain you own (registered anywhere, including through Kapsule's Domains product)

Step 1, Enter your domain in Orbit

1. Open your project in Orbit
2. Click the Domain tab
3. In the Domain field, type your domain (e.g. app.example.com or example.com)
4. Click Connect domain

Orbit shows you the DNS record you need to add.

Step 2, Add the DNS record

How you add the record depends on whether your domain uses Kapsule DNS or another provider.

If your domain is on Kapsule DNS

1. Go to Domains in the left sidebar
2. Click on your domain
3. In the DNS editor, add the record Orbit shows you:
   • For a subdomain (e.g. app.example.com): add a CNAME record pointing to kapsule-orbit-previews.b-cdn.net
   • For an apex domain (e.g. example.com): add a CNAME record pointing to kapsule-orbit-previews.b-cdn.net (your DNS provider must support CNAME flattening at the apex, Kapsule DNS handles this automatically)

If your domain uses another DNS provider

Log in to your DNS provider and add the record shown in the Orbit Domain tab. The exact steps vary by provider, but the record type and value are the same.

Step 3, Wait for DNS to propagate

DNS changes can take a few minutes to several hours to propagate, depending on your TTL settings. Orbit checks automatically, the Domain tab shows:

• Checking DNS... while verifying
• SSL active, CNAME verified (green) once propagation is confirmed and SSL is issued
• CNAME verified, SSL provisioning… (blue) when DNS is confirmed but SSL is still being issued
• CNAME not detected yet (yellow) if the record hasn't propagated yet

Once the CNAME is verified, Orbit provisions your SSL certificate automatically. Your custom domain is live within a minute or two of verification.

Removing a custom domain

To detach your custom domain:

1. Go to the Domain tab
2. Click Remove domain

Your project immediately falls back to its kaps.run URL. The DNS records you added are not removed automatically, delete them from your DNS provider if you no longer need them.

Apex domains vs subdomains

Both record types use the same CNAME target. If your DNS provider doesn't support CNAME at the apex, use a subdomain (e.g. www) or use Kapsule DNS, which handles CNAME flattening automatically.

SSL is automatic and free. You don't need to purchase or manage an SSL certificate, Orbit provisions one via Let's Encrypt as soon as DNS is verified.