# Buy a domain

> Search for a name, see its yearly price and buy it in Playcode. Playcode registers it, runs its DNS, turns on HTTPS and connects it.
> Source: https://playcode.io/docs/publish/buy-a-domain - last reviewed 2026-10-09.
> Ask Playcode's agent: "Find a domain like example.com for this site and buy it." It searches, shows the price and asks you to confirm before it buys; then it connects the name to this project.

You can search for a domain and buy it without leaving Playcode. Playcode registers it for one year, runs its DNS, turns on HTTPS and points it at your site. The charge goes to the workspace's card, never to credits.

## Do it yourself

1. Open **Publish** and choose **Give it its own address**. You can also open **Settings**, choose **Domains** under the workspace, and choose **Get a new address**.
2. Type a name, like `readystart`, and choose **Search**. Each result shows the first-year price and the price of every year after it, or one price when the two match.
3. Choose **Buy** next to the name you want. Some endings, like `.us`, ask one more detail first; it is saved for the workspace's next purchase.
4. Check the confirmation screen: **Price**, **First renewal**, **Auto-renew** (on by default), the WHOIS privacy line, and "Registered to" with the owner's name and email. Choose **Edit** to change the owner details.
5. Choose the **Pay** button. It shows the price you pay now.

> [!COST]
> The workspace's saved card is charged the first-year price now. While **Auto-renew** is on, the renewal price is charged every year, ahead of the expiry date: see [Domain renewals and fees](/docs/publish/renewals-and-fees).

6. Wait while the window goes through **Taking your payment**, **Registering your name**, **Connecting it to your site**, **Securing it** and **Live everywhere**. You can close the window: the work goes on, and the domain appears in **Settings**, **Domains**.
7. Confirm the registrant email. ICANN requires it: a message from Playcode arrives within about an hour, and you click its confirmation link. If you confirmed the same owner details for an earlier domain, no new message comes.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> If the registrant email is not confirmed within 15 days, the registry suspends the domain and the site on it stops. **Settings**, **Domains** shows the deadline and has **Resend verification**.

A domain bought from **Settings**, **Domains** is not pointing at a site yet. Open it there, pick a project in **Choose a site** and choose **Point it at this site**.

## If it doesn't work

### "Taken - is it yours?"

Someone owns this name. If it is yours, choose **Connect it instead**. See [Connect a domain you own](/docs/publish/connect-a-domain).

### "We can't sell ... yet - own it already?"

Playcode does not sell that ending yet. You can still connect it if you own it.

### "Couldn't check availability - try again in a moment."

The registry did not answer in time. Search again.

### "We couldn't get that name"

The registration did not go through. "You won't pay for this - the payment refunds automatically and lands back on your card within a few days." Choose **Find another name**.

### "This email is at the address you're buying"

The confirmation email could not reach an inbox that does not exist yet. Use another email for the owner details.

### The site does not open yet

"Your name is spreading across the internet": new names take time to reach every network. "A few minutes is typical, up to an hour is still normal." Close the window; it goes live on its own.

### The purchase is refused because of the plan

"Your plan (...) does not include domain purchases. Upgrade to buy domains." Buying needs a Pro or Max plan. See [Plans](/docs/account-and-billing/plans).

## Limits

- A purchase registers the name for one year. It renews one year at a time.
- Prices differ by ending and change over time. The price you pay is the one on the confirmation screen; renewals are charged at the renewal price of the day. See [Domain renewals and fees](/docs/publish/renewals-and-fees).
- Only an Admin of the workspace can buy, and the workspace needs a saved card.
- There is no cancel button after a purchase. A payment is refunded only when the registration fails.
- A domain belongs to the workspace and can point at any of its projects.
- The domain itself, like `readystart.com`, goes live. The www address is optional: turn on **Also answer at www.readystart.com** on the domain's page.
- WHOIS privacy is included where the ending allows it.