> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.a1base.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Setup your own custom mail domain on A1Mail > Instead of using @a1send.com or @a101.bot, setup your own custom email addresses to send and receive emails. ⏰ Estimated setup time: 20min. ### In this guide you will: ### 1. Create a subdomain on your hosting provider for mail: * Log onto your hosting provider (Cloudflare, Namecheap, etc.) * Add a new subdomain called `mail` e.g `mail.yourdomain.com` ### 2. Connect your subdomain to A1Mail * Go to the [email dashboard](https://www.a1base.com/dashboard/email-addresses) * Add in your new subdomain to generate DKIM keys 1 ### 3. Update and test your DNS records * Update the MX record * Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for deliverability and anti-spam * Verify your DNS records are properly configured ### 4. Warm up your new mail domain * Create a new email with your subdomain and send some emails to your new address * Start sending emails using the A1Base API ### Guide Shortcuts: * [Go to the guide for **Namecheap**](#-guide-for-namecheap) * [Go to the guide for **Cloudflare**](#-guide-for-cloudflare) *** # **Namecheap Guide** #### 1. Log into your Namecheap dashboard * Go to [https://www.namecheap.com](https://www.namecheap.com/) * Navigate to **Domain List > Manage** next to `yourdomain.com` * Navigate to **Advanced DNS** *** #### 2. Add an A Record for `mail.example.com` > This points your new mail subdomain, mail.example.com to the server's IP address. * In the **Advanced DNS** tab click **Add New Record** * Select `A Record` and enter the following: ```jsx theme={null} Host: `@ or mail if your subdomain is mail.example.com` Value: `110.232.112.135` TTL: Automatic ``` *** #### 3. Add an MX Record for email delivery > This tells other mail servers where to deliver email for example.com. * Still in **Advanced DNS,** scroll down to MAIL SETTINGS * Next to "MAIL SETTINGS", select the option "Custom MX" and enter the following: ```jsx theme={null} Type: `MX Record` Host: `@` Value: `mail.a101.bot` Priority: `10` TTL: Automatic ``` *** #### 4. Update A1Mail Dashboard and get your DKIM values * Go to your [A1Mail dashboard](https://www.a1base.com/dashboard/email-addresses) and navigate to the **Custom Mail Domain** section * Enter your new mail subdomain to get your DKIM keys #### 5. Add the TXT Records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC > These records are for deliverability and anti-spam * Go back to the **Advanced DNS** tab click **Add New Record**, select `TXT RECORD` for the following: **SPF Record** ```jsx theme={null} Type: TXT Host: mail Value: v=spf1 ip4:110.232.112.135 a:mail.a101.bot ~all TTL: Automatic ``` **DMARC Record** ```jsx theme={null} Type: TXT Host: _dmarc Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:postmaster@subdomain.yourdomain.com TTL: Automatic ``` **DKIM Record** * Copy the host and value from the A1Mail dashboard ```jsx theme={null} Type: TXT Host: Value: e.g v=DKIM1; h=sha256; k=rsa; t=y; p=asdfgasdfasdf... TTL: Automatic ``` ### Summary: > You should have these records in your Advanced DNS Settings | **Record** | **Type** | **Host** | **Value** | **Priority** | **TTL** | | ---------- | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ | --------- | | SPF | TXT | mail | `v=spf1 ip4:110.232.112.135 a:mail.a101.bot ~all` | — | Automatic | | DMARC | TXT | \_dmarc | `v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:postmaster@subdomain.yourdomain.com` | — | Automatic | | DKIM | TXT | the domain key we've provided e.g `subdomain._domainkey` | The value we've provided - this will look like: `v=DKIM1; h=sha256; k=rsa; t=y; p=AsDSDGGJGKA...` | — | Automatic | | MX | MX | @ | `mail.a101.bot` | 1 | Automatic | *** # **Cloudflare Guide** #### 1. Log into your Cloudflare dashboard * Go to [https://dash.cloudflare.com](https://dash.cloudflare.com/) * Select your domain from the list * Navigate to the **DNS** tab *** #### 2. Add an A Record for `mail.yourdomain.com` > This points your new mail subdomain to the server's IP address. * Click **Add record** * Select `A` for the Type and enter the following: ```jsx theme={null} Type: A Name: mail IPv4 address: 110.232.112.135 TTL: Auto Proxy status: DNS only (gray cloud) ``` *** #### 3. Add an MX Record for email delivery > This tells other mail servers where to deliver email for your domain. * Click **Add record** again * Select `MX` for the Type and enter the following: ```jsx theme={null} Type: MX Name: @ (represents the root domain) Mail server: mail.a101.bot Priority: 10 TTL: Auto ``` *** #### 4. Update A1Mail Dashboard and get your DKIM values * Go to your [A1Mail dashboard](https://www.a1base.com/dashboard/email-addresses) and navigate to the **Custom Mail Domain** section * Enter your new mail subdomain to get your DKIM keys #### 5. Add the TXT Records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC > These records are for deliverability and anti-spam * Click **Add record** for each of the following TXT records: **SPF Record** ```jsx theme={null} Type: TXT Name: mail Content: v=spf1 ip4:110.232.112.135 a:mail.a101.bot ~all TTL: Auto ``` **DMARC Record** ```jsx theme={null} Type: TXT Name: _dmarc Content: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:postmaster@yourdomain.com TTL: Auto ``` **DKIM Record** * Copy the host and value from the A1Mail dashboard ```jsx theme={null} Type: TXT Name: (without your domain) Content: TTL: Auto Proxy status: DNS only (gray cloud) ``` ### Summary: > You should have these records in your Cloudflare DNS settings | **Record** | **Type** | **Name (Host)** | **Content (Value)** | **Priority** | **TTL** | **Proxy Status** | | ---------- | -------- | --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ | ------- | ---------------- | | A | A | mail | `110.232.112.135` | — | Auto | DNS only | | SPF | TXT | mail | `v=spf1 ip4:110.232.112.135 a:mail.a101.bot ~all` | — | Auto | DNS only | | DMARC | TXT | \_dmarc | `v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:postmaster@yourdomain.com` | — | Auto | DNS only | | DKIM | TXT | from dashboard | from dashboard | — | Auto | DNS only | | MX | MX | @ | `mail.a101.bot` | 10 | Auto | DNS only | > 🔒 **Important**: Make sure all email-related records have the proxy disabled (gray cloud). Email services require direct DNS resolution to function properly. *** # **Test your DNS Settings** After setting up your DNS records, it's essential to verify that they are properly configured. Here's how: #### 1. Check your DNS records * Use a DNS lookup tool (e.g., [MxToolbox](https://mxtoolbox.com/)) to verify your DNS records * Check that your MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly set up * For detailed instructions, follow our [How to Verify your DNS Settings](verify-dns-settings) guide #### 2. Test email delivery * Send an email to your new custom domain address. By default, all new mail domains will have a `postmaster@yourdomain.com` inbox * If the email is delivered successfully, you can move on to the next step #### Running into issues? > Feel free to reach out to [founders@a1base.com](mailto:founders@a1base.com) directly if you run into any issues during the setup process. *** # **Warm up your new mail domain** After setting up your custom mail domain, you'll need to properly warm it up to ensure good deliverability. Here's how: #### 1. Create a new email with your subdomain * Create an email address using your new subdomain (e.g., `hello@mail.example.com`) * Follow our [Creating Email Addresses guide](api-reference/email/create-email) for detailed instructions #### 2. Send some test emails to your new address * Send emails from your personal accounts (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) to your new address > 💡 **Warming up tips**: New email domains need time to build reputation. Start with low volumes (5-10 emails/day) for the first week, then gradually increase. Avoid sending mass emails immediately after setup. #### 3. Receiving emails * Check that incoming emails are properly delivered to your new address * For more details on receiving and managing emails, see our [Receiving Emails guide](api-reference/email/receiving-email) #### 4. Send emails using the A1Base API * Once your domain is properly warmed up, start sending emails programmatically * Use the A1Base API to send emails from your custom domain address * Follow our [Sending Emails guide](api-reference/email/sending-email) for implementation details Note: * Engage with these emails by replying to them * This helps establish a positive sending reputation for your domain We'd love to hear from you! Don't hesitate to reach out to [pennie@a1base.com](mailto:pennie@a1base.com) or [pasha@a1base.com](mailto:pasha@a1base.com) if there's any features you'd like to see or prioritised!