Set up a custom domain
A published document can be viewed at https://{subdomain}.monjiro.io. With a custom domain, you can serve your public site on your own domain, such as https://docs.example.com. HTTPS certificates are issued and renewed automatically, so you do not need to provide one.
Only the organization's Owner and Admins can set up a custom domain. For pricing, see Pricing plans.
Domains you can use
- You can use a subdomain of a domain you own, such as docs.example.com or help.example.co.jp.
- You cannot use a root domain (a domain without a subdomain) such as example.com. To serve from the root domain too, set www.example.com as the custom domain, and redirect the root domain to www.example.com using the forwarding feature of the service where you bought the domain.
- Each document can have one custom domain. The same domain cannot be used for another document.
Set it up
To issue a certificate, your domain must already point to Monjiro. Follow the steps on screen and add the CNAME record before registering.
- Open the document's editor.
- In the "Document" tab on the right, open "Custom domain" and click "Set up a custom domain".
- Enter the domain to use (for example, docs.example.com) and click "Next".
- Add the CNAME record shown to your DNS.
| Item | Value to set |
|---|---|
| Type | CNAME |
| Name (host name) | The domain to use (for example, docs.example.com; some services take only the docs part) |
| Value (target) | The value shown on screen (in the form xxxx.cloudfront.net) |
- Wait for the DNS setting to take effect (usually a few minutes to a few tens of minutes), then click "Verify and register". If it has not taken effect yet, a message says the record does not point to Monjiro yet. Wait a while and click it again.
- Once registered, "Done" appears and certificate issuance starts. It can take from a few minutes to a few hours for the status to become "Active". The status is shown under "Custom domain" and updates automatically until it changes.
Add the CNAME record on the DNS settings screen of the service where you bought the domain (such as Onamae.com, Muumuu Domain, Amazon Route 53 or Cloudflare).
Turn off the proxy for the CNAME record ("DNS only"). With the proxy on, Monjiro cannot confirm that DNS points to it, and you cannot register.
Statuses
- Verifying: Waiting for the certificate to be issued. Do not delete the CNAME record; please wait a while.
- Active: Your public site is served on the custom domain.
- Failed: The certificate could not be issued (for example, the CNAME record was deleted or changed partway). The reason is shown on screen. Remove the custom domain, check the CNAME record, and register again.
Even after the custom domain becomes active, the site remains available at https://{subdomain}.monjiro.io.
Remove a custom domain
Under "Custom domain", click "Remove custom domain", then click "Remove it" to confirm. Once removed, the site can no longer be viewed on the custom domain, effective immediately. You can delete the CNAME record you added after removing it.
Relation to other settings
- Access restrictions: Access restrictions (IP restriction and email restriction) also apply when viewing on the custom domain.
- Changing plans: If you change from Solo or above to Free, the site can no longer be viewed on the custom domain (it remains available at https://{subdomain}.monjiro.io). The custom domain settings are kept, so you can use it again if you change your plan back.
FAQ
Can I switch over a subdomain that another site currently uses?
Yes. However, from when you point the CNAME record to Monjiro until the certificate is issued (a few minutes), the site cannot be opened over HTTPS. We recommend switching at a time when few people use it.
I can't register because it says the record does not point to Monjiro yet.
Check that the CNAME record's value matches the value shown on screen. DNS changes can take time to take effect (usually a few minutes to a few tens of minutes, occasionally 24 to 48 hours). Once it takes effect, click "Verify and register" again. If you close the screen partway, you can continue by entering the same domain again from "Set up a custom domain".
It takes a long time to become "Active".
Check that you have not deleted or changed the CNAME record. If the status becomes "Failed", remove the setting, wait about 5 minutes, and register again from the beginning.