Documentation

Domains

Connect custom domains, issue automatic SSL, and ship production URLs without manual certificates.

Add a custom domain

  1. Open your service and navigate to the Domains tab.
  2. Add the domain (or wildcard) you want to use.
  3. Optionally set a target port. Leave it blank to use PORT.
  4. Create the CNAME record shown in the UI.
  5. Wait for DNS verification and SSL issuance to complete.

Subdomains (recommended)

For subdomains (like app.example.com), use the CNAME target provided in the Domains tab.

Example records:
CNAME app.example.com → your-service.nouva.cloud

Apex domains (root domains)

Apex domains (example.com) can use a CNAME at @ via DNS flattening/ALIAS. Most providers support this.

Target ports

If you don't set a target port, Nouva routes to your app's PORT value. Set a custom target port only when your app listens on a different port than PORT.

Wildcard domains

Wildcard domains (like *.example.com) require DNS-01 validation to issue certificates. Make sure your DNS provider supports automated DNS updates before enabling wildcards.

Troubleshooting

  • DNS propagation can take up to 72 hours depending on your provider.
  • If using Cloudflare, switch to DNS-only (grey cloud) if verification stalls.
  • If SSL fails, check for restrictive CAA records and add letsencrypt.org.