Domain Connect — Implementers Edition¶
Version: 1.0 | Last updated: May 2026
Author: Pawel Kowalik, Co-Author of Domain Connect specification
Sources: IETF draft-ietf-dconn-domainconnect-04 (Oct 2026), IETF 123 WG transcript (Jul 2025), IETF-124 DCONN WG presentation (Nov 2025), Templates repository README
About This Edition¶
This edition is for DNS providers, service providers, template authors, and protocol contributors. It focuses on the technical protocol, implementation guidance, and template authoring.
| Who you are | What you'll find here |
|---|---|
| DNS provider or registrar implementing Domain Connect | Discovery endpoint, template hosting, OAuth flow, sync and async APIs |
| Service provider integrating Domain Connect | Template authoring, apply-template flow, signing, variable model |
| Template author | Field-by-field template reference, use-case patterns, contribution process |
| Protocol contributor or IETF participant | Full protocol specification context, security model, open issues, WG participation |
Looking for messaging, stories, or business-case materials? See the Marketing & Communications Edition.
Evaluating Domain Connect for your product? See the Product Editions for DNS Providers and Service Providers.
Quick Reference: What Is Domain Connect?¶
Domain Connect is an open-standard, application-level protocol that automates DNS configuration when a user connects a domain name to a third-party service. The service provider defines a signed DNS template; the DNS provider hosts it and applies it upon user consent. The protocol supports both synchronous (redirect-based) and asynchronous (OAuth-based) flows.
- Originally proposed by: GoDaddy, 2016
- Status: Production-deployed; IETF standardization underway (DCONN working group, approved Oct 2025)
- Specification: draft-ietf-dconn-domainconnect-04 (Standards Track)
- Template repository: github.com/Domain-Connect/Templates — 2,207 templates, 1,436 service providers, 455 contributors
Document Map¶
| # | Document | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 02 | What Is Domain Connect | Definition, three-actor model, scope, what it is not |
| 03 | How It Works | Synchronous and async flows, template structure, discovery, consent |
| 04 | Protocol Features Deep Dive | All protocol features with full technical detail |
| 05 | Use Cases | Primary, extended, and out-of-scope use cases |
| 06 | Value by Audience | Implementation benefits by stakeholder group |
| 08 | Security Model | Trust model, URL signing, OAuth scoping, known considerations |
| 09 | Getting Involved | IETF participation, GitHub contribution, community resources |
| 11 | Template Reference | Complete field-by-field reference for all template metadata and record flags |
| 12 | Getting Started: DNS Provider | Step-by-step implementation guide for DNS Providers |
| 13 | Getting Started: Service Provider | Step-by-step integration guide for Service Providers |
| 15 | Template Use Cases | 9 use-case patterns with examples, DNS setup guidance, and implementation notes |
Use Case Detail Pages¶
| Use Case | Document |
|---|---|
| UC-01 Email Hosting | Use Cases/UC-01_Email_Hosting.md |
| UC-02 Email Authentication & Marketing | Use Cases/UC-02_Email_Authentication_Marketing.md |
| UC-03 Email Security (DMARC) | Use Cases/UC-03_Email_Security_DMARC.md |
| UC-04 Website Hosting (Apex) | Use Cases/UC-04_Website_Hosting_Apex.md |
| UC-05 Website Hosting (Subdomain) | Use Cases/UC-05_Website_Hosting_Subdomain.md |
| UC-05-2 Website Subdomain + SSL | Use Cases/UC-05-2_Website_Subdomain_SSL.md |
| UC-06 CDN / WAF / Reverse Proxy | Use Cases/UC-06_CDN_WAF_Reverse_Proxy.md |
| UC-07 URL Redirect | Use Cases/UC-07_URL_Redirect.md |
| UC-08 Dynamic DNS | Use Cases/UC-08_Dynamic_DNS.md |
| UC-09 DNS Subdomain Delegation | Use Cases/UC-09_DNS_Subdomain_Delegation.md |
Navigation by Task¶
"Implement Domain Connect as a DNS Provider" → 12 Getting Started: DNS Provider
"Integrate Domain Connect as a Service Provider" → 13 Getting Started: Service Provider
"Build or review a template" → 11 Template Reference, 15 Template Use Cases
"Understand the full protocol" → 03 How It Works, 04 Protocol Features
"Understand the security model" → 08 Security Model
"Find a use-case pattern for my template" → 15 Template Use Cases
"Contribute to the IETF spec" → 09 Getting Involved
"Understand what the protocol does and doesn't cover" → 02 What Is Domain Connect, 05 Use Cases