Gmail alias setup

Route a specific email alias from your Gmail inbox to Commslayer while keeping your other aliases in Gmail.

Time required: 15-20 minutes

When you need this

This setup is for you if:

You have a Gmail or Google Workspace inbox with multiple aliases (e.g., support@, info@, sales@yourstore.com)
You want only ONE alias (like support@yourstore.com) to go to Commslayer
Your other aliases should stay in Gmail as usual

Before you start

You'll need:

A Gmail or Google Workspace account with aliases configured
Access to your domain's DNS settings
An email address on your domain (like support@yourstore.com) with a mailbox you can forward from — not a free @gmail.com address

Step 1: Create your inbox in Commslayer

Go to Settings → Inboxes and click Add inbox
Select Email
Choose Standard setup (the recommended option)
Enter your alias email address (e.g., support@yourstore.com)
Give your inbox a name (e.g., "Support")
Click Create inbox

Step 2: Add DNS records

Commslayer will show you two DNS records to add. These let you send emails from your alias.

Add the DKIM record

Log in to your domain registrar
Find DNS settings
Add a new TXT record:
- Name/Host: Copy from Commslayer (looks like xxxxxxxx._domainkey)
- Value: Copy the long string from Commslayer
Save the record

Add the Return-Path record

Add a new CNAME record:
- Name/Host: Copy from Commslayer (looks like pm-bounces)
- Value: Copy from Commslayer
Save the record

Click Verify in Commslayer. This usually takes a few minutes.

Step 3: Set up Gmail forwarding

First, add Commslayer as a forwarding address:

Open Gmail and click the gear icon → See all settings
Go to Forwarding and POP/IMAP
Click Add a forwarding address
Paste the forwarding address from Commslayer
Click Next, then Proceed
Important: Google sends a confirmation email to Commslayer. Open your Commslayer inbox, find the email from Google, and click the confirmation link. Forwarding won't work until you do this.
Keep forwarding set to Disable forwarding — we'll use a filter instead

Step 4: Create a filter for your alias

This filter ensures only emails to your support alias go to Commslayer. Your other aliases stay in Gmail.

In Gmail, click the search options dropdown (arrow in search bar)
In the To field, enter your alias (e.g., support@yourstore.com)
Click Create filter
Check Forward it to and select your Commslayer forwarding address
Optionally check Skip the Inbox if you don't want these emails in Gmail too
Click Create filter

Step 5: Test your setup

Send a test email to your alias from a different email account. It should appear in your Commslayer inbox.

Emails to your other aliases will continue arriving in Gmail as usual.

Common issues

Forwarding not working

Check your Commslayer inbox for the Google confirmation email — you must click the link before forwarding activates.

Emails to other aliases also going to Commslayer

Check your filter - make sure the To field has only your support alias, not your main Gmail address.

Can't find the filter option

Go to Gmail Settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses → Create a new filter

DNS records not verifying

Wait up to 48 hours for propagation
Check whatsmydns.net to see propagation status