> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.maski.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is an alias

> An alias is a masked address that forwards to your real inbox. Here is how addresses, random aliases, and the lifecycle work.

An alias is a masked email address on a Maski domain. Mail sent to it forwards to
your real destination address, so the sender never learns where their message
actually lands. Use a different alias for every service and you can see who leaked
or sold your address, then shut off that one alias without disturbing the rest.

## Address format

An alias is a local part plus a domain, for example `shopping@alias4me.in`.

The local part must:

* start with a letter or digit,
* be 3 to 64 characters long,
* contain only lowercase letters, digits, and `.` `_` `-`.

Local parts are case-insensitive. `Priya.Work` and `priya.work` are the same alias.

## Custom or random

You choose the local part yourself. It is first-come, first-served on shared Maski
domains, so a readable name like `newsletters` or `github` is yours until you
retire it.

Prefer something unguessable? Generate a random alias instead. Maski offers two
styles:

* a random string, for example `k7f2q9x4mn3p`,
* an adjective-and-noun pair with trailing digits, for example `swiftotter3947`.

A random suggestion reserves nothing. Regenerate as many as you like, then claim
the one you want.

## Reserved names on shared domains

On shared Maski domains, some local parts are unavailable. Role addresses such as
`admin`, `support`, `postmaster`, `abuse`, and `billing` are reserved, and Maski
blocks names that impersonate known brands. This protects recipients from aliases
that look official.

These restrictions apply only to shared domains. On your own
[custom domain](/custom-domains) you can claim any local part, including `admin`.

## Free plan limit

The free plan includes 3 aliases. Pro raises the limit. See [billing and
plans](/billing) for the current numbers.

## Lifecycle

An alias moves through a small set of states:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Active">
    The alias receives and forwards mail.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paused">
    Mail is silently dropped. Nothing is forwarded and the sender sees no error.
    Resume at any time to start forwarding again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pending retirement">
    You have asked to retire the alias. It stops forwarding immediately and enters
    a 30-day grace period during which you can cancel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retired">
    The address is gone for good. On a shared domain a retired local part is never
    reclaimable, by you or anyone else, so a service can never be re-pointed at a
    stranger.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  On your own custom domain you can reclaim a local part you previously retired,
  because you control the whole namespace.
</Note>