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Use your existing domains with domani

·4 min read

You already have domains. Maybe on Namecheap, Cloudflare, GoDaddy, or somewhere else. You don't need to buy new ones to use domani.

There are two ways to bring your existing domains in: import or transfer. Each gives you different levels of control.

Option 1: Import (keep your registrar)

Importing means you verify ownership of the domain — it stays at your current registrar and your DNS stays there too. Domani tracks the domain in your account so you can create mailboxes, check email health, and get expiry alerts.

The process takes two steps: add a TXT record to prove you own the domain, then verify.

Terminal

Once verified, the domain is in your account. Since your DNS stays at your registrar, any DNS changes (email, hosting) will show you the records to add manually — domani can't write to your DNS directly.

Best for: domains you want to keep where they are. Zero commitment, instant setup.

Option 2: Transfer (full control)

Transferring moves the domain entirely to domani. Registration, renewal, DNS, email — everything in one place. Domani manages your DNS directly, so email and hosting are auto-configured with no manual record adding.

Terminal

After the transfer completes, domani is your registrar. You get everything from import, plus:

  • Auto-renewal - never lose a domain because you forgot to renew
  • Domain locking - prevent unauthorized transfers
  • Full WHOIS management
  • One dashboard - no switching between registrar and DNS provider
  • DNS auto-configuration - email and hosting records set automatically

Best for: domains you're serious about. Production domains, brand domains, domains you want to fully manage from one place.

The comparison

ImportTransfer
Setup timeInstant5-7 days
CostFreeIncludes 1-year renewal
Email✓ (manual DNS)✓ (auto DNS)
Hosting connect✓ (manual DNS)✓ (auto DNS)
MCP tools
Keep current registrarYesNo (domani becomes registrar)
Auto-renewalAt your registrar✓ (managed by domani)
Domain lockingAt your registrar

The key difference: transferred domains get automatic DNS management. Imported domains stay with their registrar, so DNS changes are applied as instructions to copy-paste.

Set up email on your domain

If you transferred

DNS is managed by domani — everything is auto-configured:

Terminal

If you imported

Domani creates the mailbox and gives you the DNS records to add at your registrar:

Terminal

Once you add those records at Namecheap (or wherever your DNS lives), email activates within minutes. Check propagation with domani email status --domain myproject.dev.

Works with any registrar

domani works with domains from Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Porkbun, Hover, Route 53, Google Domains — any ICANN-accredited registrar.

Get started

npm i -g domani
domani login
domani import yourdomain.com   # or: domani transfer yourdomain.com

Your existing domain, fully powered by domani. No need to buy anything new.

Don't have a domain yet?

Buy one directly with domani buy, or start with a free @domani.run email address — no domain needed.

domainstutorialimport