Quick start
From signing in to darkcore to an active stream and a ready-to-use ad link — without unnecessary configuration.
This is the shortest path to your first launch: create a PWA, connect a domain, assemble a stream, and get an ad link.
Sign in to darkcore
Open darkcore in a separate tab and follow the steps below.What must be ready
| Result | Where to do it | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| Workspace | After your first sign-in | You see the dashboard and workspace name |
| PWA | PWA → Create | Content is filled in and an icon is uploaded |
| Domain | Domains | Status is Active |
| Route | Streams → Create | A rule has a PWA or Direct Link |
| Offer | In the stream tracking link | The URL contains {click_id} |
| Launch | In the stream editor | Status is Active and the domain opens |
1. Create a workspace
After registration, create a workspace: a shared place for your team, PWAs, streams, domains, and reports. A name is enough for the first launch; you can add teammates and roles later.
Done: the darkcore dashboard opens and your workspace appears in the top switcher.
2. Create a PWA
Open PWA, click Create, and fill in at least:
- an internal name and vertical;
- the app name and a short description;
- an icon and at least one screenshot;
- the installation page language.
Ratings, reviews, extra blocks, and the final appearance can be refined after the first test. See PWA apps for details.
Done: the installation page looks correct in the phone preview.
3. Connect a domain
Open Domains and choose one method:
- Buy on the platform — darkcore configures DNS automatically.
- Connect your own — add the displayed CNAME records at your DNS provider.
Wait for the Active status. You cannot activate traffic through the domain while it is passing DNS or SSL verification. See Domains for details.
Done: the domain has no DNS/SSL errors and shows Active.
4. Assemble a stream
Open Streams → Create, give it a name, and click Create and configure.
In Domains, attach the active domain from the previous step.
In Cloaking, select the required mode and whitepage. You can leave it as None for a technical test.
In Traffic distribution, create a rule without filters and add a PWA as its only variant. This will route all test traffic.
Add a tracking link to the offer. Its URL must pass {click_id}, for example https://tracker.example/click?subid={click_id}.
Done: the stream has an active domain, a routing rule, and a tracking link.
5. Select a pixel and activate the stream
If events should always go to one pixel, select it as the default pixel in the stream's general settings. Your ad link then stays clean:
https://your-domain.com/If no default pixel is selected or you need to override it for a specific campaign, pass the darkcore integration ID in the URL:
https://your-domain.com/?pixel_id=PIXEL_INTEGRATION_IDAdd subs only when you need them for reporting or routing:
https://your-domain.com/?pixel_id=PIXEL_INTEGRATION_ID&sub1=CAMPAIGN_ID&sub2=CREATIVE_IDClick Activate, open the domain on a phone, and complete the path to the offer.
If launch is blocked
| Message | What to check |
|---|---|
| No active domain | Wait for Active in Domains |
| No route | Add at least one rule with a PWA or Direct Link and a non-zero weight |
| No tracking link | Add an offer URL and at least one variant with a non-zero weight |
| Conversion does not appear | Check {click_id} in the offer URL and the external_id postback parameter |