What is is-a.dev?

is-a.dev is a service that gives developers a free subdomain under the .is-a.dev domain, so you can point something like yourname.is-a.dev at your own project instead of buying a separate domain. Registration happens through the is-a-dev/register repository on GitHub, and the project describes itself as a free service for developers that will stay that way. It is aimed at people who want a clean, readable hostname for a personal site, portfolio, demo, or side project.

How the subdomain works

You pick a name, and the service publishes a DNS record that makes <yourname>.is-a.dev resolve to whatever you configure. The subdomain is yours to point at a hosting provider, a static site host, a tunnel, or another server you control.

The format is fixed: your chosen label plus .is-a.dev. So if you register alice, the result is alice.is-a.dev.

The project has also launched .is-a.bot subdomains, which are claimed through GitHub in the same way.

How to register

1. Go to the is-a-dev/register repository on GitHub.
2. Follow the instructions in that repository to add your subdomain entry.
3. Open a pull request with your change.
4. Wait for it to be reviewed and merged, after which your subdomain becomes active.

The exact file format and required fields are defined in the repository's own documentation, so read that before submitting — it is the authoritative source for what your entry must contain.

Checking availability first

The site includes a Check Subdomain Availability tool. Enter the subdomain you want and it returns one of these outcomes:

Checking before you open a pull request saves you from submitting a name that is already taken or reserved.

What you should know before using it

• It is a subdomain, not a domain. You do not own is-a.dev itself, and your control is limited to the record you register.
• Registration is GitHub-based. You need a GitHub account and some familiarity with pull requests.
• The service is free and donation-supported. The site states the project is a free service for developers and asks for donations to keep it running.
• There are terms and an abuse process. The site links to Documentation, Terms of Service, and a Report Abuse page, so usage is governed by those terms rather than being unrestricted.

When it makes sense to use it

Use is-a.dev if you want a short, memorable hostname for a developer project and do not want to pay for or manage a full domain. It fits portfolios, documentation sites, demos, and small apps.

Consider a domain you own instead if you need full DNS control, long-term guarantees about the name, or a hostname that is not tied to a third-party service's policies.