# Set up your Help Center and domain

> Verified against the product on 2026-10-06

## Choose the address

Your Cactus-hosted Help Center uses `https://<name>.heycactus.ai`. When your custom domain is live, it becomes the main address. The hosted address still works and sends visitors to your custom domain.

1. In **Connect › Help site**, enter a new hosted name in **Name**.
2. In **Connect › Help site**, select **Save**. The new hosted address takes effect straight away, and the old one stops answering.

## Custom domain status

**Waiting for DNS:** Cactus is waiting for your DNS record to point to the required target.
**Issuing certificate:** Your hostname is active while its certificate is being issued.
**Live:** Your custom domain is active and is now your Help Center address.
**Needs attention:** There’s a problem with your hostname or certificate. The panel shows advice about it.

## Make it public

In **Connect › Help site**, select **Public**. Anyone with the address can read your Help Center and What's New. Visitors can read the public Help Center once at least one eligible page is listed.

## Connect a custom domain

Yes, `help.ourcompany.com` fits the subdomain format. Your Help Center keeps working at its Cactus address until the custom domain is live.

1. In **Connect › Help site**, enter your subdomain in **Your own domain**.
2. In **Connect › Help site**, select **Connect**.
3. At your DNS provider, add a `CNAME` record with the displayed **Name** and **Target** `customers.heycactus.ai`.

> If you use Cloudflare, set the record to DNS only.

## Track activation

While DNS or certificate setup is pending, the panel checks for updates every five seconds when the browser tab is visible. DNS changes usually show up within a few minutes, and certificate issuance takes a minute or two. The first HTTPS request to your custom domain can also confirm it, so you don't need to keep the panel open.

## Remove a custom domain

In **Connect › Help site**, hold **Hold to remove** to disconnect the custom domain. Visitors will be sent to the hosted Cactus address again.

## Add policy links

1. In **Connect › Help site**, enter your privacy policy URL in **Privacy policy address**.
2. In **Connect › Help site**, enter your terms URL in **Terms address**.
3. In **Connect › Help site**, select **Save**.

When an address is set, Cactus links to it on every Help Center page. Leave either field empty to hide that link.

## If a domain needs attention

| What you see | What it means | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Advice that your DNS provider is proxying the record | The record is proxied instead of set to DNS only | 1. Set the record to DNS only.<br>2. In **Connect › Help site**, select **Check again**. |
| Advice that the hostname no longer points to Cactus | The custom domain no longer points to the required target | 1. Point the CNAME to `customers.heycactus.ai`.<br>2. In **Connect › Help site**, select **Check again**. |
| Advice to add or check a CNAME | The record doesn't point to the required target, or ownership needs attention | Add a CNAME from your hostname to `customers.heycactus.ai`, set it to DNS only, then select **Check again** in **Connect › Help site**. |
| Advice that Cloudflare will not serve the hostname | Cloudflare has blocked the hostname | Write to the Cactus team so they can look at it. |