Tontuf TWL

Home
Domains

Meet "Open Domains": Offers FREE Subdomains for Personal & Open-Source Projects

Open Domains is a community-driven initiative dedicated to providing free subdomains for personal projects, open-source software, and other creative endeavors. The project’s mission is simple yet impactful: to democratize access to essential tools for building websites, making it easier for everyone, regardless of resources or technical expertise, to establish their online presence. Open Domains’ offerings are not only free but are also designed to be secure, flexible, and straightforward to use. You can learn more on their website: open-domains.net.

How Open Domains Works

Open Domains owns several primary domains, such as is-not-a.dev and is-cool.dev, which serve as bases for creating personalized subdomains. Users can register their unique subdomain by following a simple process and have access to full DNS management. For example, if you’re starting a blog, you can register myblog.is-not-a.dev. Whether for hosting portfolios, community tools, or development projects, Open Domains aims to make the process of getting online hassle-free.

The platform supports a variety of DNS record types, including:

  • A/AAAA Records: For mapping to IP addresses.
  • CNAME Records: To point a domain to another domain.
  • TXT Records: Useful for verification and additional metadata.
  • MX Records: For email handling.
  • CAA Records: For certificate authority restrictions.

This robust support means users can tailor their subdomains to meet specific technical requirements.

Why Open Domains Exists

The team behind Open Domains believes that the internet should remain an open and accessible space for innovation and creativity. Domain costs and complex setup processes can be barriers, particularly for individuals just beginning their journey in web development or those contributing to open-source projects. By providing free subdomains, Open Domains aims to lower these barriers and empower users worldwide to share their ideas and projects with the world.

Privacy and Security with PSL Integration

Open Domains incorporates the Public Suffix List (PSL), a critical tool used by browsers to distinguish subdomains as separate entities. This ensures that cookies and site settings associated with one subdomain do not interfere with others. This added layer of security makes Open Domains a reliable choice for hosting projects that prioritize user privacy and data integrity.

Step-by-Step Guide to Register a Subdomain

Here’s how you can register a subdomain with Open Domains:

  1. Show Your Support: Star and fork the Open Domains repository on GitHub. This indicates your support for the project and gives you access to modify the repository.
  2. Create a JSON Configuration File:
    • Navigate to the /domains directory in the repository.
    • Add a new file named your-subdomain.domain.json, replacing your-subdomain with your desired name.
    • Fill the file with your domain’s details, following the provided strict JSON format.
    • Example:
      {
  "description": "A blog about tech and innovation",
  "domain": "is-cool.dev",
  "subdomain": "myblog",
  "owner": {
    "repo": "https://github.com/username/repo",
    "email": "user@example.com"
  },
  "record": {
    "A": ["1.1.1.1"],
    "TXT": ["site-verification=12345"]
  },
  "proxied": false
}
  3. Submit a Pull Request (PR): Ensure your PR meets all checklist requirements, as incomplete submissions may be delayed or ignored.
  4. Wait for Propagation: Once your PR is merged, DNS changes typically take 5-15 minutes but can require up to 24 hours to propagate globally.

Supported Domains

Open Domains provides subdomains under several parent domains:

  • is-not-a.dev
  • is-cool.dev
  • is-local.org
  • localplayer.dev
  • is-a-fullstack.dev

Wildcard subdomains (e.g., *.example.is-cool.dev) are also available upon request but require a clear justification to ensure proper use.

Community and Support

To enhance user experience, Open Domains has an active Discord server where users can seek assistance, share ideas, and connect with like-minded individuals. The community-driven approach fosters collaboration and ensures users have the resources they need to succeed.

Sustainability Through Donations

As a free service, Open Domains relies on donations to cover operational costs. Contributors can support the project via platforms like PayPal or Stripe, helping ensure the service remains available for future users. Additional perks, such as NS records, are available for donors, making it a win-win for users and the platform.

Commitment to Accessibility and Transparency

Open Domains operates under an MIT license, reinforcing its commitment to openness and community-driven development. Users can freely access, modify, and contribute to the repository, reflecting the project’s ethos of inclusivity and collaboration.