> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pixdeliver.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Custom subdomain
> Share galleries at yourstudio.pixdeliver.com instead of the basic pixdeliver.com/g/...
## Overview
A subdomain is your personal space in PixDeliver. Once it is set up, all of your galleries and selections are available at a professional-looking address `yourstudio.pixdeliver.com`, instead of the basic `pixdeliver.com/g/gallery-name`.
**Key information:**
* The subdomain is assigned to **your account**, not to a single gallery — one subdomain covers all of your galleries and selections
* The feature is **free** and available on every plan (even without an active Studio plan)
* The subdomain is **optional** — without it, galleries still work at the basic address `pixdeliver.com/g/...`
* It does not require DNS configuration on your end — we handle everything automatically
Do you have the **Studio plan**? You can go a step further and share galleries under your **custom domain** (e.g. `gallery.yourstudio.com`). The custom domain then takes priority, while the subdomain remains active as a backup address. See: [Custom domain](/en/sharing/custom-domain).
***
## How to set up a subdomain
**Instructions:**
1. Go to **Settings** → **Profile**
2. In the **Subdomain (optional)** field, enter your chosen name
3. The system checks availability in real time — you will see a message:
* "Checking availability..."
* ✓ "This subdomain is available"
* ✗ "The subdomain is taken, reserved, or has an invalid format"
4. Click **Save**
**Result:** The subdomain works right away. All of your galleries are available at the new address.
### Name requirements
* **Length:** from 3 to 63 characters
* **Allowed characters:** lowercase letters (`a-z`), digits (`0-9`), hyphens (`-`)
* **Cannot** start or end with a hyphen
* **Must be unique** across the entire system
* **Reserved words are blocked** — including `www`, `api`, `admin`, `mail`, `app`, `cdn`, `dev`, `test`, `staging`, `dashboard`, `support`, `blog`, `shop`, and dozens of other technical prefixes
If your favorite name is taken, add an initial or a specialty — e.g. `kowalski-foto`, `jk-studio`, `kowalski-wesela`.
***
## URLs after setting up a subdomain
Once you have a subdomain set up (e.g. `kowalski`), your galleries and selections are available at short addresses:
| Resource | Address |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Public gallery | `https://kowalski.pixdeliver.com/wesele-anna-tomasz` |
| Photo selection | `https://kowalski.pixdeliver.com/select/{token}` |
| Single photo download | handled automatically from within the gallery |
Without a subdomain, the same resources are available at the basic addresses:
| Resource | Address |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Public gallery | `https://pixdeliver.com/g/wesele-anna-tomasz` |
| Photo selection | `https://pixdeliver.com/select/{token}` |
After setting up a subdomain, **both formats** usually still work, but it is recommended to share only the subdomain version — it looks more professional and builds brand recognition.
***
## Changing the subdomain
You can change the subdomain name at any time in **Settings** → **Profile**.
**Old links stop working immediately.** After changing the subdomain, all previously shared addresses with the old name will return an error. The system will show a modal warning you before saving the change if there are galleries on the account.
**After changing the subdomain you must:**
* Copy the new gallery links from the management panel
* Send the updated links to clients who have not yet downloaded their photos
* Update the links on your business website, in emails, and on business cards
It is best to set up the subdomain **before** sharing your first gallery and not change it afterward.
***
## Removing the subdomain
If you want to return to the basic `pixdeliver.com/g/...` addresses:
1. Go to **Settings** → **Profile**
2. **Clear** the subdomain field (leave it empty)
3. Save
**Result:** Your galleries go back to the basic addresses. The subdomain becomes available for other users.
The system will block removal of the subdomain if it would create a gallery slug conflict — that is, when your gallery has the same slug as another user's gallery served from the main domain. In that case, first change the slug of the conflicting gallery.
***
## Access limits
Subdomains have the same anti-abuse protections as the basic addresses:
| Action | Limit |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Entering a gallery password | 10 attempts / minute / IP |
| Downloading a single photo | 60 / minute / IP |
| Generating a download link | 5 / minute / IP |
| Opening a selection | 60 / minute / IP |
The limits apply to public access and are invisible to a typical user — they protect galleries from automated downloading.
***
## Frequently asked questions
**Can I use my own domain (e.g. `foto.moja-strona.pl`)?**
Yes — as part of the **Studio plan**. You can connect your own domain instead of a subdomain; you will find the configuration details in the [Custom domain](/en/sharing/custom-domain) guide. On the other plans, the free `*.pixdeliver.com` subdomain is available.
**Does the subdomain cost anything?**
No. The feature is free and available on every plan — even if you do not have any active paid gallery.
**Do I need to configure DNS or buy a domain?**
No. We handle everything automatically on the PixDeliver side.
**Can each gallery have its own separate subdomain?**
No. The subdomain is shared across the entire account — it covers all of your galleries and selections.
**What happens when someone releases an attractive subdomain?**
Subdomains work on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no queue and no notifications about names being released.
**Does the basic address `pixdeliver.com/g/{slug}` stop working after setting up a subdomain?**
The basic address still works. However, we recommend sharing only the subdomain version.
***
## Related topics
* [Public links](/en/sharing/public-links) - Everything about sharing galleries with clients
* [Custom domain](/en/sharing/custom-domain) - Share galleries under your own domain (Studio plan)
* [Account settings](/en/getting-started/account-settings) - Full overview of profile settings
* [Creating a gallery](/en/managing-galleries/create-gallery) - The first step to sharing photos