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Complete Setup Process

Follow these steps to set up your custom domain for your status page. The entire process typically takes 10-15 minutes.
Before you begin: Make sure you meet all requirements and have access to your DNS settings.

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Step 1: Add Your Domain

1

Open Status Page Settings

Navigate to Settings → Status Page → Custom Domain in your Watchman Tower dashboard.
2

Enter Your Domain

In the custom domain input field, enter your desired subdomain:
status.mycompany.com
Important:
  • Must be a subdomain (not root domain)
  • Use only lowercase letters
  • No http:// or https:// prefix
  • No trailing slashes
3

Save Domain

Click Add Domain. The input field will become disabled and a status badge appears showing SSL Being Issued ⏳
Once you save a domain, the input field is locked. To change the domain, you must first delete it and add a new one.

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Step 2: Configure DNS

Now you need to create a CNAME record in your DNS settings pointing to Watchman Tower.

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DNS Record Details

Copy these exact values into your DNS provider:
FieldValue
TypeCNAME
Namestatus (or your chosen subdomain)
Targetstatus.watchmantower.com
TTL3600 (or Auto/Default)
ProxyOff / DNS only (if using Cloudflare)
  • Cloudflare DNS
  • Namecheap
  • GoDaddy
  • Route 53 (AWS)
1

Log in to Cloudflare

Go to dash.cloudflare.com and select your domain
2

Navigate to DNS

Click DNS in the left sidebar, then Records
3

Add CNAME Record

Click Add record and fill in:
  • Type: CNAME
  • Name: status
  • Target: status.watchmantower.com
  • Proxy status: DNS only (gray cloud) ⚠️
4

Save

Click Save. The record appears in your DNS table.
Critical: The proxy must be set to DNS only (gray cloud icon). If it’s orange (proxied), your custom domain will not work.

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Verify DNS Configuration

After adding the CNAME record, verify it’s correct using your terminal: 
dig CNAME status.mycompany.com
Expected output: 
;; ANSWER SECTION:
status.mycompany.com. 3600 IN CNAME status.watchmantower.com.
If you see your target domain in the answer, DNS is configured correctly.
DNS changes can take 5-60 minutes to propagate depending on your TTL settings. If the command doesn’t show results immediately, wait a few minutes and try again.

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Step 3: Wait for SSL Validation

Once your DNS is configured, Cloudflare automatically begins SSL certificate validation.

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What’s Happening

1

DNS Detection

Cloudflare detects your CNAME record (usually within 1-2 minutes)
2

HTTP Challenge

Let’s Encrypt validates domain ownership via HTTP:
http://status.mycompany.com/.well-known/acme-challenge/{token}
3

Certificate Issuance

Once validated, SSL certificate is issued and installed (1-5 minutes)
4

Status Update

Watchman Tower dashboard updates to Working ✅

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Monitor Progress

Watch the status badge in your dashboard:
  • SSL Being Issued ⏳ - In progress (normal for 5-10 minutes)
  • Working ✅ - Setup complete, domain is live
  • Configuration Error ❌ - DNS issue, see troubleshooting
Typical timing:
  • DNS propagation: 5-10 minutes
  • SSL validation: 1-5 minutes
  • Total: 10-15 minutes on average

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Step 4: Test Your Domain

Once the status shows Working ✅, your custom domain is live!

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Verify HTTPS Access

Open your custom domain in a browser: 
https://status.mycompany.com
What to check:
Your status page displays with your monitors and status information
Browser shows a padlock icon indicating secure connection
Click the lock icon → Certificate details should show:
  • Issued to: status.mycompany.com
  • Issued by: Cloudflare Inc ECC CA-3
  • Valid: Green/secure status
No privacy warnings or SSL errors

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Test HTTP Redirect

Try accessing via HTTP (no S): 
http://status.mycompany.com
Expected behavior: Automatically redirects to HTTPS version

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Test from Multiple Locations

Use a tool like UpStatus.io or IsItDownRightNow.com to verify your domain loads correctly from different geographic locations. Now that your custom domain is live, update your communication channels:

Website Footer

Add a “Status” link pointing to your custom domain

Email Signatures

Include your status page URL for transparency

In-App Links

Update any status page references in your application

Social Media

Share your status page in bio/about sections

Support Documentation

Reference your status page in help articles

Incident Communications

Use your custom domain in incident notifications

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Complete Setup Example

Here’s a full walkthrough for status.acmecorp.com:
1

Add Domain in Dashboard

Enter status.acmecorp.com and click Add DomainStatus: SSL Being Issued ⏳
2

Configure Cloudflare DNS

In Cloudflare DNS settings:
Type: CNAME
Name: status
Target: status.watchmantower.com
Proxy: DNS only (gray cloud)
3

Verify DNS

dig CNAME status.acmecorp.com
Response shows: status.watchmantower.com
4

Wait 5-10 Minutes

DNS propagates and SSL validates automatically
5

Status Updates

Dashboard status changes to Working ✅
6

Test Domain

Visit https://status.acmecorp.com✅ Status page loads with HTTPS
7

Go Live

Update website footer with status page link
Timeline: Total setup completed in 12 minutes.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your domain doesn’t become active within 15-20 minutes, check these common issues:
Cause: DNS not propagated or incorrect CNAMESolution:
  1. Verify CNAME record with dig command
  2. Check for typos in target domain
  3. Wait up to 30 minutes for DNS propagation
  4. Ensure TTL isn’t extremely high (>3600)
Cause: CNAME record missing or incorrectSolution:
  1. Double-check CNAME target is exactly status.watchmantower.com
  2. Ensure no extra spaces or characters
  3. If using Cloudflare, verify proxy is OFF (gray cloud)
  4. Delete and re-add CNAME if needed
Cause: SSL certificate not yet issuedSolution:
  • Wait for status to show Working in dashboard
  • Don’t visit the domain until status is active
  • SSL validation can take up to 10 minutes
Cause: DNS cached or propagation incompleteSolution:
  1. Clear browser cache and try incognito mode
  2. Try different browser or device
  3. Flush local DNS: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (macOS)
  4. Wait 10-20 more minutes
For more detailed troubleshooting, see the Troubleshooting Guide.

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Deleting a Custom Domain

If you need to remove your custom domain:
1

Open Settings

Go to Settings → Status Page → Custom Domain
2

Click Delete

Click the Delete Domain button next to your domain
3

Confirm Deletion

Confirm in the dialog. This action is immediate and cannot be undone.
4

Clean Up DNS (Optional)

Remove the CNAME record from your DNS provider. This prevents confusion but isn’t required.
After deletion, your status page is only accessible via the default Watchman Tower URL:
https://status.watchmantower.com/your-workspace-slug

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Next Steps

Understanding Statuses

Learn what each status badge means

Troubleshooting

Resolve common setup issues

FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions

Security

Security best practices for custom domains

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Need Help?

If you’re stuck or need assistance with your custom domain setup:

Contact Support

Email us at [email protected] with:
  • Your domain name
  • Screenshot of DNS settings
  • Output of dig CNAME your-domain.com
We’ll help you get set up quickly.