name.com CORE API – FAQ
What authentication method is required?
What authentication method is required?
Use HTTP Basic Authentication with your name.com username and API token. You can use curl’s
-u username:token shorthand or send an explicit Authorization: Basic <base64(username:token)> header. See the full Authentication guide for Linux/macOS and Windows PowerShell commands to generate the Base64 value.Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) supported with the API?
Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) supported with the API?
❌ No. Accounts with 2FA enabled cannot authenticate. Disable 2FA and enable API Access in your account settings.
Can I call the API from JavaScript in the browser?
Can I call the API from JavaScript in the browser?
❌ No. The API is for server-side use only. Browser requests are blocked due to CORS restrictions.
Can I use PowerShell?
Can I use PowerShell?
✅ Yes. Any tool that can send HTTPS requests — including PowerShell, curl, Python, or Node.js — is supported. For a PowerShell example to generate the Basic Auth header, see Authentication.
Which port should I use?
Which port should I use?
All API requests must use HTTPS on port 443.
Are production and sandbox accounts synced?
Are production and sandbox accounts synced?
❌ No. Domains, DNS records, and user data are completely separate between environments.
Does the sandbox environment exactly match production?
Does the sandbox environment exactly match production?
❌ No. The sandbox uses registry test data, so domain availability and behavior may differ.
How can I test domain registration without real charges?
How can I test domain registration without real charges?
Use the sandbox environment (
https://api.dev.name.com) with your -test username and sandbox API token. Sandbox domains are not live or publicly registered.What status codes does the API use?
What status codes does the API use?
The API uses standard RESTful HTTP codes like 200 OK, 400 Bad Request, 401 Unauthorized, 403 Forbidden, 404 Not Found, and 429 Too Many Requests.
Why is my GetDomain request failing?
Why is my GetDomain request failing?
The domain must exist in the environment you’re querying. Check whether you’re using sandbox or production.
What is the domain search limit?
What is the domain search limit?
You can check up to 50 domains per checkAvailability call.
What happens if I hit the rate limit?
What happens if I hit the rate limit?
You’ll receive a 429 Too Many Requests error. Use backoff logic and retry after a delay.
Can I use saved payment profiles with the API?
Can I use saved payment profiles with the API?
✅ Yes. You can use saved credit card profiles and account credit for domain purchases via the API. Ensure your preferred payment method is set as the default payment method within your account.
How do I know when a new API version is available?
How do I know when a new API version is available?
🔔 Check the Changelog for the latest version releases, features, and any upcoming deprecations.
Next Steps
Getting Started Guide
Set up authentication, environments, and make your first API call
Explore API Resources
View endpoints for domains, DNS, transfers, and more
Changelog
Track new features, breaking changes, and deprecations
Contact Support
Reach out for help with advanced issues or account-specific questions