Getting Started

WaxForward’s core value is simplicity. In under five minutes, you can:

1. Add and Verify Your Custom Domain
2. Configure DNS Records (MX, SPF, DKIM)
3. Create Email Aliases and assign them to recipients
4. Send & Receive via your existing Gmail/Outlook account

Below is a link to a video overview of the process:

WaxForward Process Overview

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1. How WaxForward Works

The diagram below illustrates the inbox flow:

1. Sender → Your Alias
   • A client sends an email to alias@yourdomain.com.
2. WaxForward Ingest
   • AWS Lambda receives the message, verifies DKIM/SPF, and stores minimal metadata.
3. Forward to Your Mailbox
   • WaxForward forwards the inbound email to your destination (e.g., you@gmail.com).
4. You Reply via Gmail/Outlook
   • Reply as normal; our SMTP API intercepts outgoing mail, replaces “From:” with alias@yourdomain.com, and sends it out.
5. Recipient Sees Your Custom Domain
   • Recipients see each email as coming from alias@yourdomain.com, not your personal address.

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2. Configure DNS

Before you can send/receive through WaxForward, you must prove domain ownership and set up mail authentication:

• MX Record

  Type: MX
  Host: @
  Value: 10 mx.waxforward.com
  TTL: 3600

• SPF TXT Record

  Type: TXT
  Host: @
  Value: v=spf1 include:amazonses.com ~all
  TTL: 3600

• DKIM CNAME Records (3 total)

  Type: CNAME
  Host: dkim1._domainkey
  Value: dkim1.waxforward.com
  TTL: 3600
  
  Type: CNAME
  Host: dkim2._domainkey
  Value: dkim2.waxforward.com
  TTL: 3600
  
  Type: CNAME
  Host: dkim3._domainkey
  Value: dkim3.waxforward.com
  TTL: 3600

See our DNS Provider Guides for detailed, provider-specific steps and screenshots.

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3. Create Your First Alias

1. Log in to your WaxForward dashboard at WaxForward.
2. Navigate to Aliases → Create Alias.
3. Enter your desired alias (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).
4. Assign one or more recipients (e.g., you@gmail.com, team@anotherdomain.com).
5. Click “Save.”

Your alias is now live—any email to info@yourdomain.com will appear in the inbox(es) you selected.

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4. Send Outgoing Email

To send email from info@yourdomain.com:

1. Add WaxForward as an SMTP relay in your mail client:

   SMTP Host: smtp.eu-central-1.waxforward.com
   Port: 587  (or 465 with TLS)
   Username: <alias_username>
   Password: <alias_smtp_password>

2. Configure “From:” to be info@yourdomain.com.
3. Compose and send. WaxForward attaches the correct DKIM signature and SPF pass.

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5. Verify & Monitor

• Dashboard → Domain Status shows verification.
• Dashboard → Analytics displays sent volume, bounces, and spam complaints.

Congratulations—you’re now fully set up with WaxForward!