Domains

Manage your project’s web address directly in Bolt. Purchase a new domain or connect an existing one, all from within your Project settings.

What are domains?

A domain is the web address people type into their browser to visit your site, like example.com. When you publish a project with Bolt, it automatically goes live on a free bolt.host domain. This gives you an instant address you can share and lets you test your project right away.

Who can use custom domains?

If you want your own custom domain (like example.com), you can purchase one through Bolt or connect a domain you already own. Custom domains are only available on paid plans, so you’ll need to upgrade from Free to any paid tier to use one.

Previously published projects with Netlify

Before August 14, 2025, all Bolt sites used Netlify for hosting, and Bolt recommended Netlify for domain management. If you currently have projects on Netlify, you can keep publishing to Netlify or switch to Bolt hosting. The choice is yours.

If you choose to keep publishing your projects to Netlify, we recommend purchasing new domains and managing your existing domains through Netlify as well.

Purchase a domain

If you are on a paid plan and have set up billing with Bolt, you can buy custom domains directly through your account to pair with your Bolt hosting by following the steps below:

1. Click the gear icon in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
2. Click Domains & Hosting.
3. Click Buy a new domain.
4. Enter your domain keyword or phrase.
5. Click Search.
6. Review the available list of domains, as shown in the example screenshot below:
7. Click Buy next to your preferred domain.
8. Choose to Purchase domain or Cancel the purchase.

Once you’ve purchased your domain, it will show up in the Domains & Hosting window of your Project settings. You’ll need to wait up to 24 hours for the domains to properly attach to your project and for the SSL certificates to generate.

To learn more about your rights as a domain owner, see the ICANN article on Registrants’ Benefits and Responsibilities.

Purchasing failures due to billing issues

To buy a custom domain through Bolt, you must have billing set up with a valid payment method on your account. If no card is on file, the purchase will fail and you’ll see an error message saying “Something went wrong,” as shown in the screenshot below:

Domain types (TLDs)

A domain name ends with what’s called a top-level domain (TLD), such as .com, .org, or .studio. Bolt offers the ability to purchase most common TLDs directly through the platform, but not every TLD is available.

If your domain uses a TLD that Bolt doesn’t sell, you can register it with another provider. Once it’s registered, you can still connect it to your Bolt project by following the steps in the Connect your domain section later on this page.

WHOIS Privacy

All Bolt domain purchases automatically include domain privacy protection, except for TLDs that do not support it. For example, .us domains do not allow domain privacy.

Domain privacy hides your personal contact information from the public WHOIS database, which helps reduce spam and protect you from unwanted contact.

Connect your domain

If you’ve already purchased a domain through another registrar or previously had your domain pointed at a Netlify deployment, follow these steps to connect it to your Bolt project.

1. Add your domain name in Bolt

   

   1. Click the gear icon in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
   2. Click Domains & Hosting.
   3. Click Connect a domain you own.
   4. Enter your domain name.
   5. Click Verify.
   6. Click Add domain after you see confirmation that Bolt recognizes the domain as already registered. (If the domain is not already registered, then it needs to be purchased.)

   Note that Bolt will automatically add the www version of your domain as well. This allows people to enter the domain directly into the navigation bar, such as https://example.com, as well as www.example.com.

   After completing Step 6, you should see a message that says: “Your custom domain has been added but is not yet functional.”

2. Update your DNS settings

   While still in Project settings > Domains & Hosting, follow the steps below to point your domain from your registrar to Bolt.

   1. Click Resolve DNS issues.
   2. Keep this DNS Configuration window open. (You’ll need this information.)
   3. In a new tab, log in to your domain registrar account. (This is the company you registered your domain with.)
   4. Find the area that allows you to manage your DNS settings.
   5. Create an ALIAS record as instructed in the DNS configuration window.

   If you can’t find your DNS settings or create records, reach out to your domain registrar’s support team for help connecting your domain to Bolt.

3. Wait for the changes to take effect

   It can take time for your DNS changes to update across the internet. Most domains connect within a few hours, but in some cases, it may take up to 24 hours before your site is fully accessible on the new domain.

4. Verify status

   After giving the domain some time to make the change, you can return to Bolt and verify its status by following the steps below:

   1. Click the **gear icon **in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
   2. Click Domains & Hosting.
   3. Verify that your domains show a green shield over the domain icon next to them, meaning that the domain is registered and connected with a working SSL certificate in place.

Disconnect a domain

If you want to remove a domain from one of your projects, follow these steps:

1. Click the gear icon in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
2. Click Domains & Hosting.
3. Click the three dots on the right side of the domain name row.
4. Click Remove.

View all domains purchased through Bolt

Domains are managed at the project level, but you can still see all domains you’ve purchased through Bolt in the Cloud section of Personal Settings.

Each domain shows whether it’s linked to a project or unassigned, as shown in the example screenshot below:

To view the domains you’ve purchased through Bolt, follow these steps:

1. Click your profile icon in the top right of your screen, then click Settings.
2. Click Cloud.
3. Scroll down to the Custom domains section and review connected domains.
4. Click Go to project to open the project associated with a specific domain.

Check domain status

To check the status of your connected domains, follow these steps:

1. Click the gear icon in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
2. Click Domains & Hosting.
3. Review your list of domains for status issues.

Clicking Check DNS status will refresh the status of your domains.

Domain statuses

Domains can have multiple statuses:

• Pending resolution means that Bolt is trying to resolve your domain to your hosting. This typically occurs after purchasing a new domain. This may take up to 24 hours.

• Resolve DNS issues indicates a problem with a domain’s configuration.

• An orange shield over the domain icon next to a domain means it is registered and connected, but does not have a functioning SSL in place.

  

• A green shield over the domain icon next to a domain means it is registered and connected with a working SSL certificate in place

Temporary issues after connecting a domain

With modern content delivery networks and caching systems, a new domain may take time to operate smoothly after connecting. In the first 24–48 hours, there’s a small chance you will see outdated content, missing assets, or other minor glitches as networks update.

These issues are not specific to Bolt or your site. It is simply how content distribution works across the internet, and these issues usually resolve on their own.

DNS records

DNS records are instructions that define how your domain name works on the internet. They control things like where your website loads from, how your emails are routed, and which services can connect to your domain. They are essential for making sure everything linked to your domain functions correctly.

Bolt gives you the ability to add and manage custom DNS records right in your Project Settings, so you can easily configure your domain to match your needs.

DNS Record types

Bolt supports the creation and management of the following types of records:

• AAAA: IPv6 Address record, which is used to map host names to their IPv6 address.
• CAA: Certificate Authority (CA) Authorization, which is used to specify which CAs are allowed to create certificates for a domain. If subdomains don’t have their own records, they inherit the same records from the apex domain.
• CNAME: Canonical name record, which is used to specify alias names.
• MX: Mail exchange record, which is used in routing requests to mail servers.
• NS: Name server record, which delegates a DNS zone to an authoritative server. If subdomains don’t have their own records, they inherit the same records from the apex domain.
• SRV: Service locator record, which is used by some voice over IP, instant messaging protocols, and other applications.
• TXT: Text record, up to 255 characters. It can contain arbitrary text and can also be used to define machine-readable data, such as security or abuse prevention information.

View your records

Bolt shows you two types of DNS records: system records and records you’ve created.

To view your records, follow the steps below:

1. Log in and open any Bolt project.
2. Click your profile icon in the top right of your screen, then click Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Custom domains section and identify the domain you want to change.
4. Click the three dots on the right side of the domain’s row, then click Open domain settings.

System Records

When you add a domain or subdomain, a system record is automatically created to confirm it has been added. These records cannot be viewed in detail or modified.

The screenshot below shows example system records for a primary domain and multiple subdomains:

Click To project to open the associated project in Bolt.

Your DNS Records

In addition to system records, you can create and manage your own DNS records in Domain Settings. These user records let you configure how your domain behaves. The screenshot below shows where your records appear, listed under the system records.

The sections below explain how to add, edit, and delete your DNS records.

Add a DNS record

To add a DNS record to a domain purchased through Bolt, follow these steps:

1. Log in and open any Bolt project.
2. Click your profile icon in the top right of your screen, then click Settings.
3. Click Cloud.
4. Scroll down to the Custom domains section and identify the domain you want to change.
5. Click the three dots on the right side of the domain’s row, then click Open domain settings.
6. Click Add new record.
7. Select your record Type, then fill in its values.
8. Click Save.

Limitations on creating records

You cannot create an A or AAAA record for a domain/subdomain if a system DNS record already exists for that domain/subdomain. You cannot view system record details, but you will see an error message that lets you know if you’ve attempted to add a record that already exists. See the example screenshot below:

You also cannot create A, AAAA, or CNAME records for domains/subdomains that already have a user-created DNS record. In these situations, you should update the existing record or delete it and create a new one.

Edit a DNS record

To make changes to an existing record, follow the steps below:

1. Log in and open any Bolt project.
2. Click your profile icon in the top right of your screen, then click Settings.
3. Click Cloud.
4. Scroll down to the Custom domains section and identify the domain you want to change.
5. Click the three dots on the right side of the domain’s row, then click Open domain settings.
6. Click the pencil icon in the Actions column for the record you want to edit.
7. Make your changes, then click Update.

Delete a DNS record

To delete a DNS record that you previously created, follow the steps below:

1. Log in and open any Bolt project.
2. Click your profile icon in the top right of your screen, then click Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Custom domains section and identify the domain you want to change.
4. Click the three dots on the right side of the domain’s row, then click Open domain settings.
5. Click the trash icon in the Actions column for the record you want to delete.
6. Click Delete to confirm.

SSL certificates and HTTPS

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the technology that encrypts the connection between a visitor’s browser and your site. When a domain has a valid SSL certificate, it can be accessed over HTTPS (the secure version of HTTP), which shows the padlock icon in the browser.

Without SSL, browsers like Chrome and Safari display a warning before allowing visitors to proceed. Bolt automatically provides SSL certificates for all connected domains, so your site is served over HTTPS by default.

How HTTPS is handled in Bolt:

• Domains purchased through Bolt: HTTPS is set up automatically.
• Domains purchased elsewhere: Set up your DNS first, then Bolt will provision HTTPS.

In the Domains & Hosting window, an orange shield next to a domain name indicates an issue with its SSL certificate. A green shield means the certificate is in place and working normally.

Repointing a domain after switching from Netlify to Bolt hosting

If you’re switching from Netlify to Bolt hosting and your project uses a custom domain, you’ll need to update your domain settings to point from Netlify to Bolt.

See the Connect your domain section above for instructions.

Add a domain alias

A domain alias is an additional domain name that points to the same site. For example, example.com and example.net can both take visitors to your Bolt project.

Your primary domain is the one that will appear in the browser’s address bar, while any aliases simply forward visitors to it. This ensures that your site is always accessed under a single, consistent domain, helping with SEO and avoiding duplicate content issues.

To add a domain alias, follow these steps:

1. Add your domain name in Bolt

   1. Click the gear icon in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
   2. Click Domains & Hosting.
   3. Click Add domain alias.
   4. Enter the domain alias.
   5. Click Save.
2. Update your DNS settings

   After completing Step 5 in the section above, you will be returned to the Domains & Hosting window. Follow the steps below to point your domain from your registrar to Bolt.

   1. Click Resolve DNS issues.
   2. Keep this DNS Configuration window open. (You’ll need this information.)
   3. In a new tab, log in to your domain registrar account. (This is the company you registered your domain with.)
   4. Find the area that allows you to manage your DNS settings.
   5. Create an ALIAS record as instructed in the DNS configuration window.

   If you can’t find your DNS settings or create records, reach out to your domain registrar’s support team for help connecting your domain to Bolt.

3. Wait for the changes to take effect

   It can take time for your DNS changes to update across the internet. Most domains connect within a few hours, but in some cases, it may take up to 24 hours before your site is fully accessible on the new domain.

4. Verify status

   After giving the domain some time to make the change, you can return to Bolt and verify its status by following the steps below:

   1. Click the **gear icon **in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
   2. Click Domains & Hosting.
   3. Verify that your domains show a green shield over the domain icon next to them, meaning that the domain is registered and connected with a working SSL certificate in place.

Downgrading from a Pro to a Free hosting plan

If you downgrade from any Pro to a Free hosting plan, your projects using a custom domain will be republished to a free bolt.host address.

Any custom domains you’ve purchased will be paused and can be reactivated when you upgrade back to a paid plan.

Domain FAQs and troubleshooting

Can I use a domain I already own with my Bolt project?

Yes. You can connect domains from third-party registrars. See the Connect your domain section above for step-by-step instructions.

My domain is still showing Resolve DNS issues after 24 hours

If you’ve added your domain name in Bolt and you are still seeing Resolve DNS issues, it is likely that there is a problem with how your registrar is pointing the domain. Confirm that the information provided by Bolt on the DNS configuration screen is accurately pointed to your registrar’s end.

I don't know how to enter my DNS information with my registrar

Most registrars have support departments that will help you point the domain you have registered with them. If you provide a screenshot of the information on the DNS configurations screen with your ALIAS record value or A record value, they should be able to help you.

How do I stop a domain I've purchased from auto-renewing?

Contact Bolt customer support if you want to stop a domain from renewing.

How do I change the DNS settings on a domain I've purchased through Bolt?

See Add a DNS record for information on adding your own records. Note that you cannot change system records.

Can I move a domain purchased on one project to another Bolt project?

For help with transferring domains between Bolt projects, contact Bolt customer support.

I've chosen to continue publishing my projects to Netlify rather than switch to Bolt hosting, where should I buy and manage my domains?

If you’d prefer to keep publishing your site to Netlify rather than switch to Bolt hosting, that’s no problem! Continue to manage and purchase new domains through Netlify as well.