> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.highmark.it/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Complete Cloudflare Guide

> Learn how to configure Cloudflare to protect your site, manage DNS, and improve performance.

## 1. Creating a Cloudflare Account

1. **Access the Cloudflare website**
   Go to [https://www.cloudflare.com](https://www.cloudflare.com/) and click on the **Sign Up** button.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfaresite.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=11ec86586b540bcb28f6d6587c7b4dd4" alt="" width="547" height="87" data-path="cloudfaresite.png" />

2. **Fill out the registration form**
   Enter a valid email and create a secure password. Click on **Create Account**.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfarelogin.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=8581834eb37a840e4a242736163ca6a4" alt="" width="1260" height="933" data-path="cloudfarelogin.png" />

3. **Confirm email**
   Check your email inbox for a message from Cloudflare and click the link to verify the address (it might end up in spam).

## 2. Adding a Domain on Cloudflare

1. **Access the dashboard**
   Once logged in, click on **Add a Site**.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfareaddsite.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=d55f533822ae23e0009ed91494a2538c" alt="" width="1252" height="438" data-path="cloudfareaddsite.png" />

2. **Enter your domain**
   Type the name of the domain you want to add (example: `your-domain.com`) and click on **Add Site**.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfaredashcreate.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=e0dd2224e80a2c36cec185591ec72c17" alt="" width="1247" height="854" data-path="cloudfaredashcreate.png" />

3. **Select a plan**
   Choose the free plan (Free) or a paid one based on your needs, then click on **Continue**.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfaredashcreateplan.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=76b626dee48a97733d21c0426ce91103" alt="" width="1266" height="851" data-path="cloudfaredashcreateplan.png" />

4. **Check existing DNS**
   Cloudflare will analyze the existing DNS records for your domain. Verify they are correct and click on **Continue**.

5. **Update domain nameservers**
   Cloudflare will provide you with two nameservers. Access your domain management panel (e.g., on your domain provider's site), find the "Nameserver" section, and replace the existing ones with Cloudflare's.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfaredashcreatens.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=515e66b7158db8ec0bc46ef5d81de022" alt="" width="689" height="299" data-path="cloudfaredashcreatens.png" />

6. **Verify the update**
   Return to Cloudflare and click on **Done, check nameservers**. You may need to wait a few hours for the change to propagate (up to 24-48h, but often much faster).

## 3. Creating a DNS Record

1. **Access the DNS section**
   In the Cloudflare panel, select your domain and click on **DNS** in the side menu.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfarens.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=b0fd12165abe6499c68a717f48f13b3c" alt="" width="1241" height="857" data-path="cloudfarens.png" />
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfarenspage.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=66aa7c4c3cab877029c2dd888379fcb1" alt="" width="1257" height="850" data-path="cloudfarenspage.png" />

2. **Add a new record**
   Click on **Add Record** and fill in the following fields:

   * **Type**: Select the record type (example: A, CNAME, TXT, etc.).
   * **Name**: Enter the record name (example: "www" or "@" for the root).
   * **Content**: Enter the corresponding value, such as the IP address or alias of the record.
   * **TTL**: Leave the default value (Auto) or customize it.
   * **Proxy Status**: Choose whether to enable Cloudflare proxy (orange cloud) or DNS only (gray cloud). The orange cloud protects your IP and activates the CDN.
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/highmark/_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu/cloudfaredns.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_4NzedEPNVLoxxHu&q=85&s=1b68d32ac5232dd01eb2b8e3b401513d" alt="" width="1247" height="828" data-path="cloudfaredns.png" />

3. **Save the record**
   Click on **Save** to complete the operation. The record will be immediately visible in the list.

<Warning>
  This is not the official Cloudflare guide; you will find the official documentation on their website.
</Warning>

## 4. Test and Verification

1. **Verify operation**
   Use tools like [https://dnschecker.org](https://dnschecker.org/) to check that DNS records are configured correctly.

2. **Test the domain**
   Access your domain from the browser to verify it is correctly routed through Cloudflare.

<Note>
  Guide created by HighMark - All information and contacts on my [official website: Highmark.it](https://highmark.it)
</Note>