How can I check if a .is-a.dev subdomain is available?

Updated

Use the Check Subdomain Availability tool on the is-a.dev homepage. Enter the subdomain you want (the part before .is-a.dev), and the tool tells you whether it is available, already owned, or reserved. If it is available, the page links you to the registration instructions.

How the availability check works

The checker is a search box on the is-a.dev site. You type a single label — for example, myproject — and it queries the service for that name under .is-a.dev.

The result falls into one of four states:

Result What it means What to do next
Available No one has claimed it and it is not reserved Follow the registration link shown on the page
Owned Another user already registered it Pick a different name
Reserved The name is held back by the service Try a different subdomain
Error The request could not be processed Retry the check

The page displays the owner when a subdomain is already taken, so you can confirm it is genuinely in use rather than a temporary glitch.

Step-by-step: checking a name

  1. Open the is-a.dev website.
  2. Find the Check Subdomain Availability section.
  3. Type the label you want — just the part before .is-a.dev, not the full domain.
  4. Submit the check.
  5. Read the result:
    • Available → the page shows a link explaining how to register it.
    • Owned → the page names the current owner; choose another label.
    • Reserved → the name is off-limits; choose another label.
    • Error → try again.

What to do once a name is available

Registration is not done through the checker itself. The site directs you to the is-a-dev/register repository on GitHub, where you follow the provided instructions to claim the subdomain. The same repository-based process applies to the newer .is-a.bot subdomains, which the site says have just launched.

Practical tips before you check

  • Check the exact label you plan to use. Availability is per-name, so myproject and my-project are different checks.
  • Have a fallback ready. Common or short names are more likely to be owned or reserved, so prepare one or two alternatives before you start.
  • Re-check close to registration time. A name that shows as available can be claimed by someone else in between.
  • Use the report link if needed. If you suspect a subdomain is abusing the service, the site provides a Report Abuse option.

Related resources on the site

The homepage also links to Documentation, Terms of Service, Contact Us, a GitHub repository, and a Discord server. These are the places to go for registration details, rules, and support. The project describes itself as a free service for developers and accepts donations to keep it running.