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Custom Domain

Learn about custom domain options and how to use your own domain with RoleDeck.

Default Domain Structure

By default, all RoleDeck decks are hosted on the roledeck.io domain with your handle as a subdomain:

  • Role decks: yourname.roledeck.io/t/company/position

This works perfectly for most users and requires no additional setup.

Custom Domain Setup

RoleDeck allows you to use your own custom domain for a more branded experience. With a custom domain:

  • Your profile will be accessible at decks.yourdomain.com
  • Your job-specific decks will be at decks.yourdomain.com/company/position
  • Create a more professional, branded experience
  • Improve credibility and align with your personal brand

Step 1: Configure Your Domain

To set up your custom domain:

  1. Navigate to Profile Settings → Domain tab
  2. Enter your domain name (e.g., example.com)
  3. Choose a subdomain prefix (default is "decks", but you can customize it)
  4. Click Save Changes

Step 2: Add CNAME Record

Add a CNAME record so your subdomain (e.g. decks.yourdomain.com) points to RoleDeck. Use the exact target shown in Profile → Domain:

DNS CNAME Record Configuration:

  • Type: CNAME
  • Name/Host: your subdomain prefix (e.g. decks)
  • Target/Value: cname.vercel-dns.com (or the value shown in Profile → Domain)
  • TTL: 3600 (or your registrar's default)

Both the CNAME (for routing traffic) and the TXT record below (for verification) are required. CNAME can take up to 48 hours to propagate. RoleDeck verifies that your CNAME points to the correct target before marking the domain verified.

Step 3: Add DNS TXT Record

After saving your domain, RoleDeck will generate a verification token. Add a DNS TXT record at the _roledeck-verify subdomain to verify ownership. This host is required because DNS specifications do not allow a CNAME to coexist with other record types (such as TXT) on the same host—so the TXT record must live at _roledeck-verify.your_subdomain.

DNS TXT Record Configuration:

  • Type: TXT
  • Name/Host: _roledeck-verify plus your subdomain prefix (e.g. _roledeck-verify.decks)
  • Value: roledeck-verify=YOUR_TOKEN
  • TTL: 3600 (or your registrar's default)

The exact steps vary by registrar, but generally:

  1. Log into your domain registrar's control panel (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
  2. Navigate to DNS Management or DNS Settings
  3. Add a new TXT record with the values shown above
  4. Save the DNS record

Step 4: Verify Domain Ownership

Once you've added both the CNAME and TXT records:

  1. Wait for DNS propagation (CNAME and TXT can take up to 48 hours)
  2. Return to your Profile → Domain settings
  3. Click Verify Now
  4. RoleDeck checks that your CNAME points to the correct target and that the TXT record is present, then marks your domain verified

Tip

DNS changes can take time to propagate. If verification fails, wait and try again. You can check CNAME and TXT with nslookup or dig.

Step 5: Your Custom Domain is Live!

Once verified, your custom domain will be active:

  • Profile: decks.yourdomain.com
  • Job decks: decks.yourdomain.com/company/position
  • All existing deck URLs will automatically work with your custom domain
  • Your old handle.roledeck.io URLs will continue to work as well

Removing or Changing Your Custom Domain

You can remove or change your custom domain at any time:

  1. Go to Profile Settings → Domain tab
  2. Click the Delete Domain button (red button)
  3. Confirm the deletion in the modal
  4. Your domain settings will revert to the default handle.roledeck.io structure

When you change or remove your domain, all deck URLs will automatically fall back to the default roledeck.io subdomain. No content or data is lost.

Troubleshooting

⚠️ Verification Fails

  • Double-check that the TXT record was added correctly (copy-paste the exact token)
  • Wait longer for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours in extreme cases)
  • Verify the TXT record is visible using DNS lookup tools
  • Make sure there are no extra spaces or quotes in the DNS record value

⚠️ Domain Not Working After Verification

  • Clear your browser cache and try again
  • Check that DNS propagation is complete
  • Verify your domain registrar hasn't placed any restrictions
  • Contact support if issues persist

Domain Best Practices

  • ✓Choose a domain name that matches your professional brand
  • ✓Keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell
  • ✓Use .com extension when possible for maximum credibility
  • ✓Ensure your domain registrar supports the DNS records needed
  • ✓Keep your domain registration active to avoid service interruption

💡 Note

Custom domains are an optional feature and not required to use RoleDeck effectively. The default roledeck.io subdomain works perfectly for most users and requires no additional setup or ongoing costs.

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