Open the domain, go to the DNS Records tab, and use "Add record" to create TXT, CNAME, A, or AAAA entries in the Winnr-managed zone. The most common need is a click/open-tracking CNAME for your sequencer — there are one-click shortcuts for the usual ones. Custom records are available on domains where Winnr manages DNS (purchased domains, or connected domains on the nameserver or Cloudflare-token method), not on manually-configured or external domains.
When you'd use this
Most people never touch custom DNS records — Winnr sets up everything mail needs automatically. The three real reasons to add one:
- A tracking domain for your sequencer. Open- and click-tracking works best from a subdomain of your own sending domain rather than the sending tool's shared tracking domain. This is the most common use, and there are one-click shortcuts for it.
- Verifying the domain with another service. Some tools ask you to add a TXT record to prove you control the domain. Paste it in here.
- A small site or redirect. Point a subdomain at a server with an A/AAAA record, or at another host with a CNAME. (For a full domain redirect, see Domain redirects, which is purpose-built for that.)
Where this lives
Custom records are only editable when Winnr manages the domain's DNS zone — that's every domain you purchased through Winnr, plus connected domains where you pointed nameservers at Winnr or used the Cloudflare API token. If a domain was set up with the manual record method (or is marked external), there's no DNS Records tab to edit, because Winnr isn't the DNS host — add any extra records at your own provider instead.
What's next
Step-by-step
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1. Open the domain's DNS Records tab
Domains → click the domain → DNS Records tab. You'll see the read-only records Winnr manages (A, MX, DKIM, SPF) and, below them, the Custom records section. If you don't see a DNS Records tab, DNS for this domain isn't Winnr-managed — see the note below.
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2. Add a tracking CNAME with one click
Under the custom section there's a "Quick add tracking CNAME" row with shortcuts — track, inst, and emailtracking. Click the one your sending tool uses and Winnr creates the CNAME for you. These point a subdomain of your domain at your sequencer's tracking host so opens and clicks are tracked from your own domain.
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3. Or add any record manually
Click Add record, pick the type (TXT, CNAME, A, or AAAA), enter the name (the subdomain, or the domain itself for an apex record) and the value, and save. Common uses — a TXT record to verify the domain with another service, or a CNAME/A for a small website or redirect.
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4. Confirm it's live
The new record appears in the custom records list immediately. Because Winnr hosts the zone, there's no separate propagation step at another provider — it's authoritative right away.
Frequently asked questions
What record types can I add?
TXT, CNAME, A, and AAAA. That covers tracking domains, third-party domain verification (TXT), and pointing a subdomain at a server (A/AAAA) or another host (CNAME).
What are the tracking CNAME shortcuts for?
Cold email sequencers track opens and clicks through a tracking domain. Using a subdomain of your own sending domain (instead of the tool's shared domain) keeps the links on-brand and can help deliverability. The shortcuts — track, inst, and emailtracking — add the CNAME for the common tools in one click; you can also add a custom tracking CNAME by hand if your tool uses a different host.
Can I add records on a domain I set up manually?
No. Custom records only work where Winnr hosts the DNS zone — purchased domains, or connected domains where you pointed nameservers at Winnr or used the Cloudflare-token method. If you added records manually at your own provider, add any extra records there too.
Will a custom record break my email authentication?
Not if you leave the Winnr-managed records alone. The A/MX/DKIM/SPF records that make mail work are shown read-only and aren't affected by records you add. Just don't create a conflicting record at the same name and type.
Can I edit the DMARC policy here?
DMARC has its own control on the domain — Winnr sets p=reject by default and you can change it via the DMARC override. See DNS health for details.