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name: Namecheap DNS Management description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "list my domains", "check domain DNS", "update DNS records", "point domain to Cloudflare", "change nameservers", "transfer nameservers", or mentions Namecheap domain management. Provides guidance for managing domains and DNS through the Namecheap API. version: 0.1.0

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:

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

To get detailed information about a specific domain:

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

Viewing DNS Records

To see current DNS configuration:

CopyUse 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:

CopyUse 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):

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

CNAME record (www subdomain):

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

MX record (email):

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

TXT record (verification):

Copy{ "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:

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