Handshake Domains

Handshake (opens in a new tab) is a decentralized, permissionless naming protocol where every peer validates and manages the root DNS naming zone to create an alternative to existing Certificate Authorities and naming systems.

In essence, Handshake takes a core piece of the internet infrastructure, DNS's root zone file, and puts it on a blockchain. At a high level, Handshake is just a decentralized DNS, but solving the CA problem and making it possible to self-custody, use, and transfer names permissionless in a publicly-verifiable way opens up exciting applications for developers that weren't feasible before Handshake.

NOTE:
We are using Namebase (opens in a new tab) to interact with Handshake Domains. Namebase is an NFT name registrar that operates on the Handshake blockchain. Namebase makes it easy to get your own NFT username on Handshake. You can use your Handshake name for secure login, decentralized websites, and top-level domain names.

Attach a Handshake Domain

Follow these steps to configure your handshake domain:

Select your project.
Select Handshake Domains from the sidebar and Go to the Configure your Handshake Domains section under the Domains tab.
Enter your Handshake Domain name.
Select a deployment that you want your domain to point to and Click "Add." You will see the selected configuration on the screen.
Click "Update" to update your handshake domain records. You will be redirected to the DNS settings page of namebase.io (opens in a new tab) with prefilled details. Upon successful confirmation, your records will be updated.
Click "Verify" to verify the update, and we will verify the records for you.

Edit a Handshake Domain

Follow these steps to edit your handshake domain:

Select your project.
Select Handshake Domains from the sidebar and Go to the Configure your Handshake Domains section under the Domains tab.
Click "Edit" on the Handshake Domain that you wish to edit.
Make the required changes and Click "Save." You will see the selected configuration on the screen.
Click "Update" to update your handshake domain records. You will be redirected to the DNS settings page of namebase.io (opens in a new tab) with prefilled details. Upon successful confirmation, your records will be updated.
Click "Verify" to verify the update, and we will verify the records for you.

NOTE:
Updating your domain name or content will always ask you to Update the record, as it changes the content hash.

Attach a Handshake Subdomain

Follow these steps to configure your handshake subdomain:

Select your project.
Select Handshake Subdomains from the sidebar and Go to the Configure your Handshake Subdomains section under the Domains tab.
Enter your Handshake Domain name (with subdomain).
Select a deployment that you want your domain to point to and Click "Add." You will see the selected configuration on the screen.
Make the required changes and Click "Update" to update your handshake domain records. You will be redirected to the DNS settings page of namebase.io (opens in a new tab) with prefilled details. Upon successful confirmation, your records will be updated.
Click "Verify" to verify the update, and we will verify the records for you.

Edit a Handshake Subdomain

Follow these steps to edit your handshake subdomain:

Select your project.
Select Handshake Subdomains from the sidebar and Go to the Configure your Handshake Subdomains section under the Domains tab.
Click "Edit" on the Handshake Domain (with subdomain) that you wish to edit.
Make the required changes and Click "Save." You will see the selected configuration on the screen.
Click "Update" to update your handshake domain records. You will be redirected to the DNS settings page of namebase.io (opens in a new tab) with prefilled details. Upon successful confirmation, your records will be updated.
Click "Verify" to verify the update, and we will verify the records for you.

NOTE:
Updating your domain name or content will always ask you to Update the record, as it changes the content hash.

How does the update action work?

You can update your handshake domain records by clicking on the "Update" button. That will initiate a process that will redirect you to the DNS settings page of namebase.io (opens in a new tab), where you will find pre-filled details to help simplify the update process. Upon successful confirmation, your records will be updated.

Why Handshake?

Owned, not rented - Own your name instead of renting domains or relying on the whims of big platforms. You control it and can do whatever you want with it.
Free second-level names - Give your team decentralized usernames like satoshi.acme, vitalik.acme, or set up decentralized websites for your projects like bitcoin.nakamoto, bitdns.nakamoto.
Affordability - Handshake domains are much more affordable than traditional domain names. You can register a Handshake domain for as little as $0.01, and there are no recurring fees.
Sovereign identity - Control your identity and create redirects for your online presence like facebook.yourname, twitter.yourname, and github.yourname.
Secure - Handshake makes it possible to log in to websites securely without third parties.
Private - Use the private bidding feature of Namebase to register names and deploy websites anonymously.
Monetize your name - Sell second-level names to others or flip your name in our marketplace for a profit.
Community - Handshake is a growing community of developers, users, and enthusiasts. This means that there is a lot of support available online if you need help with Handshake.

Domains ENS Domains