Namecheap DNS Management

Guidance for managing domains and DNS records through the Namecheap API using the namecheap MCP server tools.

Available Tools

The namecheap MCP server provides these tools:

Common Workflows

Listing and Exploring Domains

To see all domains in the account:

Use list-domains to get all domains with expiry dates and status

To get detailed information about a specific domain:

Use get-domain-info with the domain name to see status, expiry, lock status, and current nameservers

Viewing DNS Records

To see current DNS configuration:

Use get-dns-hosts with the domain name to list all host records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.)

Updating DNS Records

Critical: The set-dns-host tool replaces ALL existing records. Always:

1. •First retrieve current records with get-dns-hosts
2. •Include all existing records to keep in the new set
3. •Add or modify the desired record in the array

Example workflow to add a new record:

1. •Call get-dns-hosts for the domain
2. •Note all existing records
3. •Call set-dns-host with array containing:
   • •All existing records to preserve
   • •The new record to add

Record types supported: A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, URL, URL301, FRAME

Transferring DNS to Cloudflare

To point a domain to Cloudflare for DNS management:

1. •Get current state: get-domain-info to see current nameservers
2. •Set Cloudflare nameservers: set-nameservers with:
   • •nameservers: ["ns1.cloudflare.com", "ns2.cloudflare.com"]
3. •Wait for propagation (can take up to 48 hours)
4. •Configure DNS records in Cloudflare dashboard

Note: After changing nameservers to Cloudflare, manage DNS records in Cloudflare, not Namecheap.

Pointing to Cloudflare Pages

For domains using Cloudflare Pages hosting:

1. •Transfer nameservers to Cloudflare (see above)
2. •In Cloudflare:
   • •Add CNAME record: @ → your-project.pages.dev
   • •Or add A records pointing to Cloudflare's IPs
3. •Add custom domain in Cloudflare Pages project settings

Resetting to Namecheap DNS

To return a domain to Namecheap's nameservers:

Use set-default-nameservers with the domain name

After reset, manage DNS records using Namecheap tools again.

Record Format Reference

When using set-dns-host, each record needs:

Common Record Examples

A record (root domain):

{ "name": "@", "type": "A", "address": "192.0.2.1" }

CNAME record (www subdomain):

{ "name": "www", "type": "CNAME", "address": "example.com" }

MX record (email):

{ "name": "@", "type": "MX", "address": "mail.example.com", "mxPref": 10 }

TXT record (verification):

{ "name": "@", "type": "TXT", "address": "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all" }

Troubleshooting

API Access Denied

• •Verify IP address is whitelisted in Namecheap account
• •Check API is enabled in Account → Profile → Tools → API Access

Domain Not Found

• •Confirm domain is registered under the authenticated account
• •Check spelling and TLD

DNS Changes Not Reflected

• •DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours
• •Use dig or online DNS checkers to verify propagation
• •Clear local DNS cache if testing locally

Cannot Modify DNS

• •If using custom nameservers (Cloudflare, etc.), manage DNS there instead
• •Reset to default nameservers first if returning to Namecheap DNS

Environment Variables

The MCP server requires these environment variables:

Set these before starting Claude Code:

export NAMECHEAP_API_USER="username"
export NAMECHEAP_API_KEY="api-key"
export NAMECHEAP_USERNAME="username"