# TXT Records

A `TXT` record stores free text at a name. The common uses are email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and proving domain ownership to a third-party service.

## Fields

| Field | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | `@` or a label | Verification records often use a label like `_dmarc`. |
| Type | `TXT` |  |
| Content | `"v=spf1 -all"` | The text, wrapped in double quotes. |
| TTL | `14400` | Seconds. |

## Create

Console (zone-file view):

```text
@      TXT "v=spf1 mx -all"                 14400
_dmarc TXT "v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com" 14400
```

CLI (wrap the content so the quotes reach the record):

```bash
zcp dns record-create --domain examplecom --name @ --type TXT --content '"v=spf1 -all"'
```

API: `POST` with `{ "name": "@", "type": "TXT", "content": "\"v=spf1 -all\"", "ttl": 14400 }`.

## Verify

```bash
dig TXT example.com +short
# "v=spf1 -all"
```

## Common Uses

- SPF: `"v=spf1 mx -all"` lists the hosts allowed to send mail for your domain.
- DKIM: a long public key at a selector name like `selector._domainkey`.
- DMARC: a policy at `_dmarc`, for example `"v=DMARC1; p=reject"`.
- Domain verification: a value a provider gives you to prove you control the domain.

## Notes

- Quoting. Enter the value with or without double quotes. The platform stores it quoted and returns it quoted. On the CLI, to send the quotes yourself, wrap the value so the shell passes them through, for example `'"v=spf1 -all"'`.
- One string per record. For a long DKIM key, keep it as a single record. The platform stores it as given.
- Several values per name. A name holds several `TXT` values. Creating another `TXT` record at the same name adds it to the set. The apex then carries an SPF record and a verification record together. See [Several values per name and type](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/records#several-values-per-name-and-type).

See also: [MX records](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/records/mx), [Worked examples](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/examples), [Record types](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/records)