How do I set up Notify with my sending domain and API key?

To set up Notify (specifically the email API service at notify.cx) with your sending domain and API key, follow these steps.

1. Generate Your API Key

• Sign Up: Create your account at notify.cx/sign-up.
• Get the Key: Once logged in, navigate to the Credentials page or follow the dashboard checklist to generate your API key.
• Security Note: Copy the key immediately, as it is often only shown once. Store it securely as an environment variable (e.g., NOTIFY_API_KEY) rather than hardcoding it in your application code.

2. Verify Your Sending Domain

To send emails from your own domain (e.g., noreply@yourdomain.com), you must verify your ownership.

• Add Domain: Go to the Domains dashboard and add your domain.
• Update DNS: Notify will provide three specific DNS records—SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. You must add these exactly as shown to your domain registrar’s DNS settings.
• Wait for Propagation: Verification typically takes 24–48 hours for DNS changes to propagate globally. The domain status will automatically update from "pending" to "verified" once completed.

3. Test Your Integration

You do not need to wait for DNS propagation to start testing.

• Use the Sandbox: Use the test API endpoint (/api/email/send/test) to verify your API key and request format. These tests are logged but do not count toward your production sending limits.
• Production Sending: Once your domain is verified, you can begin sending production emails by including the from address in your API requests. Ensure your request header includes your API key (x-api-key).

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Note: If you are referring to a different "Notify" service (such as GOV.UK Notify or a specific notification integration in another platform like Jira or Azure), please be aware that the setup steps may differ. The steps above specifically apply to the Notify email API for developers.