Automate Cloudflare Dynamic DNS with GhostlyDDns
Privacy-focused .NET 10 CLI tool that keeps Cloudflare DNS records synchronized with your dynamic IP. Zero telemetry, YAML configuration, cross-platform support.
GhostlyDDns is a privacy focused dotnet eight command line agent that keeps existing Cloudflare A and AAAA records synchronized with the public IP of your edge network. It is part of the Ghostly Tools marketing suite and gives developers creators and self hosters a dependable Cloudflare dynamic DNS automation path without managed services.
The runtime watches your WAN address, detects IPv4 and IPv6 changes through multiple endpoints, and only calls the Cloudflare API when an update is required. Serilog based diagnostics, disciplined exponential backoff, and consistent exit codes give teams the observability needed for unattended operation.
GhostlyDDns from Ghostly Tools privacy focused software by GhostlyInc delivers a lightweight automation layer for self hosted networks that need constant Cloudflare accuracy without exposing credentials to external SaaS services.
Table of Content
Editions and licensing
Choose the GhostlyDDns build that matches your operating system. Every Gumroad license includes lifetime updates for all GhostlyDDns one dot x releases and the same YAML configuration works across editions.
Lifetime updates for all GhostlyDDns one dot x releases are included with every license.
Feature highlights
Privacy first operations
Run GhostlyDDns completely on your infrastructure with no telemetry, account binding, or external control planes.
Change aware updates
Multi endpoint IP discovery, in memory caching, and disciplined backoff eliminate redundant Cloudflare API calls.
Cross platform deployment
Single file .NET eight binaries are published for Windows, Linux, and ARM64 targets so you can reuse the same configuration file everywhere.
Use case examples
GhostlyDDns helps self hosted teams, agencies, and remote workers maintain uptime by eliminating manual DNS updates when WAN addresses rotate.
- Keep homelab VPN gateways reachable after every ISP lease renewal without exposing routers to remote management.
- Maintain white label client portals on Cloudflare while running the application stack from dynamic office connections.
- Protect broadcasting rigs or creative studios by keeping streaming ingest domains current even when mobile failover kicks in.
- Support managed service providers that operate multiple customer zones with a single lightweight automation agent.
CLI commands
The GhostlyDDns CLI exposes focused commands for configuration scaffolding, dry runs, single shot executions, and continuous monitoring. Built in help is available through multiple flags.
ghostly-ddns init-config [--path|--p|-p <path>]
ghostly-ddns dry --config|--c|-c <path>
ghostly-ddns once --config|--c|-c <path>
ghostly-ddns run --config|--c|-c <path>
ghostly-ddns --help | --h | -h
ghostly-ddns --version | --v | -vConfiguration schema
All runtime settings live in a single YAML file. Provide the Cloudflare API token, the polling interval, IP detection preferences, logging retention, and the records to maintain. GhostlyDDns validates the schema at startup and produces actionable warnings when values are missing.
cloudflare:
api_token: CF_API_TOKEN
update:
interval_seconds: 120
ip_detection:
detect_ipv4: true
detect_ipv6: false
v4_endpoints:
- https://api.ipify.org
- https://ipv4.icanhazip.com
v6_endpoints:
- https://api6.ipify.org
logging:
retention_days: 30
records:
- name: home.example.com
type: A
proxied: true
ttl: autoValidation rules ensure an API token is present, at least one record is defined, TTL values are either auto or greater than sixty, and each enabled detector ships with at least one endpoint.
Logging and diagnostics
Serilog powers structured console output together with rolling file logs stored under the logs directory. Retention defaults to thirty daily files and can be customized per deployment through the YAML configuration.
Log lines document detected IP addresses, skipped updates when no change is present, Cloudflare status codes, and retry activity triggered by the exponential backoff policy. These diagnostics keep GhostlyDDns production ready for unattended schedules.
Deployment playbooks
GhostlyDDns ships with guidance for Linux systemd timers and Windows Task Scheduler templates so teams can standardize automation in minutes.
Linux systemd service
Install the binary under usr local bin, place the configuration in etc GhostlyDDns, and run the agent as a dedicated service account.
[Unit]
Description=GhostlyDDns updater
After=network-online.target
[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/ghostly-ddns run --config /etc/GhostlyDDns/config.yaml
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=15
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetLinux systemd timer
Pair the timer with the service to schedule repeat executions and rely on exponential backoff when Cloudflare connectivity dips.
[Unit]
Description=GhostlyDDns schedule
[Timer]
OnUnitActiveSec=120
AccuracySec=1s
Unit=ghostly-ddns.service
[Install]
WantedBy=timers.targetWindows Task Scheduler
Import the official XML template or create a task with highest privileges that runs the run command every few minutes and restarts on failure.
schtasks /Create ^
/SC MINUTE /MO 5 ^
/TN "GhostlyDDns" ^
/TR "C:\\GhostlyDDns\\ghostly-ddns.exe run --config C:\\GhostlyDDns\\config.yaml" ^
/RL HIGHEST ^
/F- Program path C GhostlyDDns ghostly dash ddns.exe
- Arguments run double dash config C GhostlyDDns config.yaml
- Logs are written next to the executable under the logs directory
Frequently asked questions
Explore quick answers about GhostlyDDns capabilities, Cloudflare requirements, and operational practices before deploying to production.
GhostlyDDns support insights
Next steps
Select your preferred GhostlyDDns edition, download the binary from Gumroad, and roll it out alongside the other Ghostly Tools privacy focused utilities by GhostlyInc.
Related resources
Explore these guides to enhance your privacy-focused infrastructure and DNS management