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Build & host skills

Full numbered checklist for interactive websites. Only items that apply to a project count toward progress (or any related reward). Applicable items are credited at half value when partial or optional-in-progress.

Progress: 0 / 0 (0%)

Saved in this browser only (localStorage). Project notes reflect pdaengineer.com defaults. Reset clears this browser’s progress only.

Domain & DNS

  1. 1. Buy domain (Porkbun)

    Register product domain(s) at Porkbun domainsSpeedy.

    Project: pdaengineer.com registered.

  2. 2. Point nameservers to Cloudflare (optional)

    Optional full-CF DNS: change NS at registrar to Cloudflare. Alternative: keep DNS at Porkbun and only add site records.

    Project: Project locked: DNS stays at Porkbun; site records → CF Pages (no NS move unless reordered).

  3. 3. Set up DNS records

    CNAME/ALIAS for www/apex to host targets; preserve MX if mail later.

    Project: Not applied yet — CAPS before live.

  4. 4. Enable Cloudflare proxy + free SSL

    Orange-cloud proxy when on CF DNS; Pages provides free SSL on custom domains either way.

    Project: SSL via Pages after custom domain attach.

Hosting / Deployment

  1. 5. Git-based deploys (GitHub → Cloudflare Pages)

    Connect repo; build command + output directory; auto deploy on push.

    Project: Ready to connect; not public yet.

  2. 6. Environment variables / secrets

    PUBLIC_FORMSPREE_ENDPOINT etc. in Pages env; never commit .env.

  3. 7. Automatic SSL

    Host-managed certificates on custom domain.

  4. 8. Custom domain connection

    Attach pdaengineer.com / www in Cloudflare Pages.

    Project: Pending deploy + DNS.

  5. 9. Preview deployments (optional)

    Per-branch preview URLs on Pages.

Making it Interactive

  1. 10. Client-side JavaScript (or framework islands)

    Astro islands / script tags for modal, domain studio, checklist.

    Project: Shipped: Submit-build modal, Domain idea studio (pda + 1–2 words + TLD), skills checklist progress UI.

  2. 11. Forms (Formspree first, Workers later)

    Formspree for submit-build; Workers only when needed.

    Project: Formspree stub; Form ID CAPS-gated.

  3. 12. Basic state / local storage

    Persist checklist progress, recent domain ideas.

    Project: Shipped: localStorage keys pdaengineer.domainIdea.v1 + pdaengineer.skillsProgress.v1; form prefill from domain idea; skills reset control.

  4. 13. Responsive design + accessibility

    Mobile layout, focus, reduced motion, contrast.

Performance & Quality

  1. 14. Core Web Vitals (optional)

    LCP/INP/CLS awareness after public deploy.

  2. 15. Image optimization (optional)

    Modern formats, dimensions, lazy load when images exist.

    Project: No marketing images yet.

  3. 16. Caching / edge delivery

    CF edge + _headers cache for assets.

  4. 17. SEO fundamentals

    Title, description, canonical, robots, sitemap after go-live.

Operations

  1. 18. Analytics (Cloudflare Web Analytics) (optional)

    Privacy-friendly analytics when public.

  2. 19. Error monitoring (optional)

    Later: Sentry or CF logs as needed.

  3. 20. Cost awareness (free tiers)

    Prefer CF Pages free tier; watch Formspree/domain renewals.

  4. 21. Version control discipline

    Commits, no secrets, branch previews.

Cloud hosting options (interactive-friendly)

Ranked cloud hosting platforms for interactive sites
# Platform Best for Free tier Notes
1 Cloudflare Pages + Workers ★ product Interactive sites, edge, cost Excellent (unlimited static bandwidth) Best match for existing CF + Porkbun setup
2 Vercel Next.js / polished DX Very good Extra vendor — switch only if app-like needs appear
3 Netlify Simple JAMstack + forms Good Bandwidth limits; legacy ship documented Netlify path
4 Render / Railway Full backend later Decent Use only when needed
5 GitHub Pages Ultra-simple static Basic Limited interactivity; needs gh auth

Tip: swipe or arrow-scroll the table sideways on small screens.

Popular cheaper TLDs (planning guide)

Baseline: .com ≈ $11. Prices move — verify at registrar. Domain idea pattern: pda + 1–2 words + cheap TLD (e.g. pdahotsauce.xyz · pdasteps.fun).

  • .xyz ~$2.00
  • .online ~$1.96
  • .site ~$1.96
  • .space ~$1.96
  • .fun ~$2.57
  • .store ~$2.57
  • .shop ~$2.06
  • .work ~$2.06
  • .top ~$1.60–4
  • .club ~$4
  • .info ~$3.60
  • .click often ~$1.50
  • .lol often ~$1.50
  • .cfd often ~$1.50
  • .sbs often ~$1.50