Customise DNS zone templates

Change the DNS records WHM creates for new domains, so every account starts with the records you want.

Change the default DNS records applied to domains created under your reseller account. Applies to reseller accounts with WHM.

Useful for adding records every client needs — an SPF record, a verification record, a CNAME for a service you provide — without editing each zone by hand.

Zone templates apply to newly created domains, and to domains where the zone is reset. Existing domains are untouched, and there is no way to apply a template retrospectively.

Edit a template

Sign in to WHM.
Search for Edit Zone Templates.
Choose the template — standard is the one used for new domains.
Edit it.
Save.

Templates use variables that WHM substitutes at creation: %domain%, %ip%, %nsttl% and others. Keep them intact — replacing %domain% with a literal name produces the same wrong record on every account.

Test on one account first

A mistake here breaks every domain created afterwards, and it will not be obvious immediately — the account is created successfully and only fails to resolve, or fails to receive mail.

Create a throwaway account, check its zone, and confirm it resolves before relying on the template.

dig +short test.example.com
dig +short MX test.example.com

What is worth adding

An SPF record covering your sending arrangement — see SPF records for WebGee hosting.
A CNAME for any service you provide clients.
Adjusted TTLs, if you routinely migrate and want faster propagation.

What not to change

Leave the SOA, NS and the default A records alone unless you are certain. Those are what make the zone work at all — see Change the SOA record.