Guide7 min readUpdated 7 Sept 2026

Namecheap: use CustomDNS or add a Pages CNAME

Change Namecheap nameservers safely or create a Pages CNAME in Advanced DNS when Namecheap hosts the active zone.

Namecheap separates authoritative nameservers from the Advanced DNS record editor. Changing to CustomDNS does not automatically copy your old host records into Cloudflare.

Save screenshots of the current nameservers and every host record first. Do not change Namecheap Web Hosting DNS, BasicDNS or CustomDNS until AlphaBlue confirms the path.

Provider instructions last verified: 7 September 2026, against Namecheap’s official Knowledgebase.

Path A: let AlphaBlue manage DNS

  1. Wait for AlphaBlue to confirm that the Cloudflare zone and copied records are ready.
  2. Sign in to Namecheap.
  3. Select Domain List in the left menu.
  4. Select Manage beside the correct domain.
  5. Find the Nameservers section.
  6. Open the dropdown and select CustomDNS.
  7. Enter the two exact Cloudflare nameservers supplied by AlphaBlue.
  8. Select the green checkmark to save.
  9. Capture the saved CustomDNS values and send the screenshot to AlphaBlue.

Only enter nameserver hostnames. Do not enter IP addresses, https:// or a path.

Namecheap warns that host records are not automatically added when nameservers move between its DNS services and custom nameservers. This is why AlphaBlue must prepare Cloudflare before the switch.

Path B: keep Namecheap DNS and add a Pages CNAME

This path works in Namecheap’s Advanced DNS editor only when the domain uses BasicDNS, PremiumDNS or FreeDNS. If the domain uses CustomDNS or Web Hosting DNS, the active records are managed elsewhere.

  1. Sign in and open Domain List.
  2. Select Manage for the domain.
  3. Open the Advanced DNS tab.
  4. In Host Records, check for the hostname supplied by AlphaBlue.
  5. If an A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS or redirect uses that host, stop and send a screenshot.
  6. Select Add New Record.
  7. Choose CNAME Record.
  8. In Host, enter only the supplied label such as www, not the full domain.
  9. In Value, enter the exact <project>.pages.dev target.
  10. Leave TTL at Automatic unless AlphaBlue specifies otherwise.
  11. Save using the checkmark and send a screenshot of the new record.

Namecheap may append the domain automatically to host-like entries. If the result repeats your domain or changes the target, stop and contact AlphaBlue.

Stop and contact AlphaBlue if

  • Host Records cannot be edited;
  • the domain uses CustomDNS belonging to another provider;
  • the requested hostname already has a record or redirect;
  • Namecheap proposes switching DNS services as part of adding the CNAME;
  • email or hosting warnings appear.

Official sources