Custom domains in Supabase

Introduction

Custom domains let you use your own website address instead of a default one. This makes your site look professional and easier to remember.

You want your app to have a unique web address like www.myapp.com instead of a generic one.

You want to build trust with users by showing your own brand in the website address.

You want to use email addresses that match your website domain.

You want to improve your website's search engine ranking with a branded domain.

You want to redirect traffic from your domain to your Supabase app.

Syntax

Supabase

1. Buy a domain from a domain provider (like GoDaddy or Namecheap).
2. In Supabase dashboard, go to Settings > Custom Domains.
3. Add your domain name (e.g., www.myapp.com).
4. Follow instructions to add DNS records (usually CNAME or A records) at your domain provider.
5. Wait for DNS to update and verify domain in Supabase.
6. Your app will be accessible via your custom domain.

DNS changes can take some time (up to 48 hours) to fully update worldwide.

Use HTTPS by enabling SSL certificates in Supabase for secure connections.

Examples

This example shows how to add a subdomain (www) pointing to your Supabase app.

Supabase

Add domain: www.myapp.com
Add CNAME record pointing www.myapp.com to your Supabase app URL
Verify domain in Supabase dashboard

This example shows how to add a root domain (without www) using A records.

Supabase

Add domain: myapp.com
Add A records pointing myapp.com to Supabase IP addresses
Verify domain in Supabase dashboard

Sample Program

This is a step-by-step guide to connect your custom domain www.example.com to your Supabase project securely.

Supabase

1. Buy domain: example.com
2. In Supabase dashboard, go to Settings > Custom Domains
3. Add domain: www.example.com
4. At your domain provider, add CNAME record:
   Host: www
   Points to: your-project.supabase.co
5. Wait for DNS propagation
6. Verify domain in Supabase dashboard
7. Enable SSL certificate for HTTPS
8. Access your app at https://www.example.com

Important Notes

Always double-check DNS entries to avoid downtime.

Use HTTPS to protect your users and improve SEO.

Custom domains improve branding and user trust.

Summary

Custom domains let you use your own website address with Supabase.

Set up requires buying a domain and adding DNS records.

Enable SSL for secure and trusted connections.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of setting a custom domain in Supabase?

easy

A. To enable faster query execution

B. To increase database storage capacity

C. To create multiple user accounts automatically

D. To use your own website address instead of a default Supabase URL

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a custom domain is

   A custom domain lets you use your own website address instead of a generic one provided by a service.

2. Step 2: Relate to Supabase usage

   In Supabase, setting a custom domain means your app uses your own URL, making it look professional and branded.

3. Final Answer:

   To use your own website address instead of a default Supabase URL -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Custom domain = Own website address [OK]

Hint: Custom domain means your own website address [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it increases database size
• Confusing with performance features
• Assuming it creates user accounts

2. Which DNS record type must you add to point your custom domain to Supabase?

easy

A. CNAME record

B. MX record

C. TXT record

D. SRV record

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify DNS record types for domain pointing

   CNAME records are used to alias one domain name to another, commonly used to point custom domains to services.

2. Step 2: Match with Supabase custom domain setup

   Supabase requires a CNAME record to link your custom domain to their servers.

3. Final Answer:

   CNAME record -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Custom domain pointing uses CNAME [OK]

Hint: Use CNAME to point domain to Supabase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using MX record which is for email
• Using TXT record meant for verification
• Confusing SRV record with domain pointing

3. Given this Supabase custom domain setup snippet:

domain: "app.example.com"
records: [
  { type: "CNAME", value: "db.supabase.co" }
]

What happens when a user visits app.example.com?

medium

A. They are redirected to the Supabase database interface

B. Their browser connects to Supabase hosting for the app

C. They get an email verification prompt

D. They see a DNS error because CNAME is incorrect

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand CNAME effect

   The CNAME record points the domain to Supabase's hosting address, so requests go there.

2. Step 2: Interpret user visit behavior

   When visiting app.example.com, the browser connects to Supabase hosting serving the app, not the database interface or errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Their browser connects to Supabase hosting for the app -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   CNAME directs browser to Supabase hosting [OK]

Hint: CNAME points domain to hosting, not email or errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing database interface with hosting
• Assuming DNS error from correct CNAME
• Thinking email verification appears on visit

4. You set a custom domain in Supabase but get a security warning in browsers. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You did not add an MX record

B. You used an invalid domain name format

C. You forgot to enable SSL for the custom domain

D. You set the CNAME to the wrong IP address

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify cause of browser security warnings

   Security warnings usually happen when SSL (secure connection) is missing or invalid.

2. Step 2: Relate to Supabase custom domain setup

   Supabase requires enabling SSL for custom domains to avoid browser warnings.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to enable SSL for the custom domain -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Missing SSL causes browser security warnings [OK]

Hint: Always enable SSL for custom domains [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing MX record with SSL
• Thinking domain format causes security warning
• Assuming CNAME IP address is used instead of hostname

5. You want to set up a custom domain dashboard.myapp.com for your Supabase project. Which steps must you follow to ensure it works correctly and securely?

hard

A. Buy the domain, add a CNAME DNS record pointing to Supabase, then enable SSL in Supabase settings

B. Buy the domain, add an MX record pointing to Supabase, then enable SSL in Supabase settings

C. Buy the domain, add a TXT record for verification, then disable SSL to avoid errors

D. Buy the domain, add an A record pointing to Supabase IP, then skip SSL setup

Solution

1. Step 1: Purchase domain and configure DNS

   First, buy your domain (dashboard.myapp.com) and add a CNAME record pointing to Supabase's domain to route traffic correctly.

2. Step 2: Enable SSL for secure connections

   Then, enable SSL in Supabase settings to secure the connection and avoid browser warnings.

3. Final Answer:

   Buy the domain, add a CNAME DNS record pointing to Supabase, then enable SSL in Supabase settings -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Domain + CNAME + SSL = Correct setup [OK]

Hint: Domain + CNAME + SSL = working custom domain [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using MX or TXT records incorrectly
• Skipping SSL causing security warnings
• Using A record instead of CNAME for Supabase