The XM Cloud build configuration for an environment is defined in the xmcloud.build.json file. This file also contains configurations for editing hosts. Editing host items in Sitecore XM Cloud ensure the stability and integrity of the content management and delivery processes.
Editing hosts items are generated automatically under Settings\Services\Rendering Hosts\ while deploying. They are accessed by CM every time you use Pages or Experience Editor via hostnames that have been generated during the deployment.
By default, editing hosts items are protected from editing. Customers should avoid moving or overriding protected rendering host items. This can result in inability to open your website.
Important note: A user with admin rights is able to remove protection (via "Unprotect Item" button) and change the hostname manually in the "Server side rendering engine endpoint URL (shared)" field. The only scenario when you need to manually set rendering hosts in case you host Rendering host somewhere separately from our infrastructure, for example, is in Vercel.
If you need to add additional editing hosts check the below section.
To add a new editing host: