# Custom domain > Learn how to connect your application or publication to a custom domain with PandaSuite. Understand the importance of HTTPS certificates and configure your DNS settings for a secure and professional online presence. https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/web-publishing/custom-domain/ **Connect your application or publication to a custom domain.** The domain name is the unique address by which your content is accessible on the internet.\ By default, any project published on the web with PandaSuite is accessible via its subdomain (for example ). A custom domain name reflects your identity or that of your organization online, offering a recognizable and professional brand to your users. [Image: Web app open on a custom domain: the address bar, framed in red, shows the custom address instead of app.pandasuite.com] ## Https certificate To provide a secure, reliable, and professional online experience to your users, it is **necessary to have an HTTPS certificate** as well. An HTTPS certificate is a digital file that enables a secure connection between the user's web browser and your website. This certificate is essential for encrypting the data exchanged, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the information transmitted.\ PandaSuite offers two ways to obtain an HTTPS certificate. ### Certificates managed by PandaSuite Certificates managed by PandaSuite are offered to all projects published with PandaSuite for free.\ If you add a custom domain, we will automatically provision a certificate with [Let's Encrypt](https://letsencrypt.org/fr/), activating HTTPS on your domain. Certificates are generated and renewed automatically as needed. After **Validate Domain** succeeds, the browser may still display an HTTPS or SSL warning while the certificate is being activated. Wait a few minutes, then reload the URL. ### Custom certificates It is also possible to use a custom certificate. Custom certificates allow you to provide a certificate that meets your specifications, such as a wildcard certificate or an extended validation (EV) certificate. If you wish to provide your own custom certificate, you can install it. To install a certificate, you will need: - **the certificate** in X.509 PEM format (a `.cer` file) - **the private key** you used to request the certificate (a `.key` file) - **the full certificate chain**: your certificate followed by the intermediate certificates of your certification authority (CA), in a `.pem` file To install it, [add the custom domain](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/web-publishing/custom-domain/#adding-the-custom-domain) first, then: 1. On your app page, in **Services**, click **Security**. 2. In the **Custom SSL Certificate** section, upload the **Private Key**, the **Certificate**, and the **Fullchain Certificate**. 3. Click **Update**. [Image: Custom SSL Certificate section of an app's security page: the Private Key, Certificate and Fullchain Certificate fields are framed] As long as the app has no custom domain, the section shows **Custom domain is not configured.** and its fields are unavailable, as in the image above. PandaSuite checks that the private key and the certificates are valid files, then installs your certificate for the custom domain already configured on the app. It does not check that the certificate covers this domain: make sure it was issued for it. The section then shows the installed certificate, its issuer, and its expiry date. To go back to the certificate managed by PandaSuite, click **Restore default certificate**, then **Restore**. ## Configure the CNAME record for your custom domain In order to associate a custom domain with your web application, it is necessary to create a CNAME (Canonical Name) record with your DNS hosting provider. The CNAME record allows you to redirect a subdomain to a target domain. > **Info** > > Your web application must be accessible online before proceeding with the DNS > configuration. **Choose your subdomain** - For a new domain: after purchasing a domain, you can use the subdomain `www` to facilitate access to your site (for example, `www.your-domain.com`). - For an existing domain: you can also choose a specific subdomain, like `app.your-domain.com`, to direct to your application. > **Warning** > > Important: Custom domain names must be under 64 characters. **Configure the CNAME record** 1. Access your account with the DNS host (such as OVH, AWS, Google Domains, etc.) and locate the DNS management for your domain. 2. Create a new CNAME record with the following settings: - Name: the chosen subdomain (for example, `www` or `app`). - Value: `custom.pandasuite.com.` 3. Save the changes and wait for DNS propagation, which can take from a few minutes to 48 hours. > **Info** > > Assistance: If you encounter difficulties or are not familiar with the DNS > configuration process, do not hesitate to contact the technical support of > your hosting provider for help. ## Adding the custom domain After configuring the CNAME record, it is now necessary to add this custom domain name to your web application. - Go to your PandaSuite dashboard, in the **Apps** section - Select your application, click **Settings** and open the **Hosting** tab. - In **Custom Domain**, copy and paste your custom domain. - Click on **Validate Domain**: the connection is established, and your URL is updated on the **Web** card of your app [Image: Custom Domain section of the Hosting tab: the domain entered after https:// and the Validate Domain button are framed] To disconnect the domain, click **Remove Domain**, then **Delete**: your app is no longer reachable at this address. ## Create custom paths Once the custom domain is validated, you can give your app, or one of its [channels](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/content-management/channel/), its own path on this domain, for example `app.your-domain.com/visit`. 1. In **Settings**, open the **Hosting** tab and go to **Custom Paths**. 2. If your app has channels, choose one in **Channel**, or keep **No Channel** for the app itself. 3. In **Path**, type the path that follows your domain. 4. Click **Save Changes**. [Image: Custom Paths section of the Hosting tab: the Channel list, set to No Channel, and the Path field after the custom domain are framed] Without a custom domain, the section shows **Custom Paths require a Custom Domain** and a **Custom Domain** button that leads to the domain field.