domain-email-forwarding

# Domain Email Forwarding

Route email from custom domains to accessible inboxes. Essential for account recovery when the original email is on a domain you own but don't actively host email for.

## When to Use

- Account recovery: target platform sent codes to `user@yourdomain.com` but email hosting is inactive
- Catch-all: forward ALL email for a domain to one inbox
- Cost savings: route domain email to Gmail without paying for email hosting
- Temporary: just need to receive one verification code, then revert

## Decision Matrix

| Registrar/DNS | Free Forwarding? | Setup Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| **GoDaddy** | ✅ Built-in | 5 min | Requires "Forwarding Status" toggle ON |
| **Cloudflare** | ✅ Email Routing | 10 min | DNS must be on Cloudflare |
| **Namecheap** | ✅ Built-in | 5 min | Up to 100 forwards free |
| **ImprovMX** | ✅ Free tier | 15 min | Works with any registrar, MX record change |
| **Google Workspace** | ❌ Paid | 30 min | Overkill for forwarding only |

## GoDaddy

### If Email Account Already Exists (e.g., Email Essentials plan)

1. Log into GoDaddy → `productivity.godaddy.com`
2. Go to **Admin → Email Forwarding** (sidebar)
3. Find domain section → click **edit** (pencil icon) on existing rule
4. Change "Forward mail to" → your Gmail/accessible email
5. Click **Save**
6. **CRITICAL:** Click **"Forwarding Status"** button → select domain → verify toggle is **ON**

### If No Email Account Exists (domain-only forwarding)

1. Log into GoDaddy → `account.godaddy.com/products`
2. Find domain → **Manage DNS**
3. GoDaddy may offer free email forwarding without a full email plan
4. Go to **Email Forwarding** section → Add rule

### Gotchas
- The per-user forwarding dialog (Manage → Forwarding) often gets stuck in a loading spinner. Use the **admin-level** forwarding page instead (`/#/admin/email/forwarding`)
- **Forwarding Status must be ON** for external addresses — this is a separate toggle, not automatic
- Changes take effect within 1-5 minut...