refactor(dns): replace sys-dns-parent-hosts with sys-dns-wildcards; emit only *.parent wildcards from CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS_ALL

Rename filter parent_build_records→wildcard_records; create only wildcard (*.parent) A/AAAA records (no base/apex); switch to CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS_ALL; update vars to SYN_DNS_WILDCARD_RECORDS; adjust role/task names, defaults, and docs; add unittest expecting *.a.b from www.a.b.example.com. See: https://chatgpt.com/share/68c35dc1-7170-800f-8fbe-772e61780597

roles/sys-dns-parent-hosts/README.md

@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-# sys-dns-parent-hosts
-
-Create Cloudflare DNS A/AAAA records only for **parent hosts** (hosts that have children),
-and always include the **apex** (SLD.TLD) as a parent.
-
-Examples:
-- c.wiki.example.com  -> parent: wiki.example.com
-- a.b.example.com     -> parent: b.example.com
-- example.com (apex)  -> always included
-
-## Inputs
-- parent_dns_domains (list[str], optional): FQDNs to evaluate. If empty, the role flattens CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS.
-- PRIMARY_DOMAIN (apex), defaults_networks.internet.ip4, optional defaults_networks.internet.ip6
-- Flags:
-  - parent_dns_enabled (bool, default: true)
-  - parent_dns_ipv6_enabled (bool, default: true)
-  - parent_dns_proxied (bool, default: false)
-
-## Usage
-- Include the role once after your constructor stage has set CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS.
-
-## Tests
-Unit tests: tests/unit/roles/sys-dns-parent-hosts/filter_plugins/test_parent_dns.py
-Run with: pytest -q

roles/sys-dns-parent-hosts/defaults/main.yml

@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-parent_dns_proxied: false
-parent_dns_domains: []

roles/sys-dns-parent-hosts/tasks/main.yml

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-- block:
-  - include_tasks: 01_core.yml
-  when: run_once_sys_dns_parent_hosts is not defined

roles/sys-dns-wildcards/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# sys-dns-wildcards
+
+Create Cloudflare DNS **wildcard** A/AAAA records (`*.parent`) only for **parent hosts** (hosts that have children).
+The **apex** (SLD.TLD) is considered when computing parents, but **no base host** or `*.apex` record is created by this role.
+
+Examples:
+- c.wiki.example.com  -> parent: wiki.example.com -> creates: `*.wiki.example.com`
+- a.b.example.com     -> parent: b.example.com    -> creates: `*.b.example.com`
+- example.com (apex)  -> used to detect parents, but **no** `example.com` or `*.example.com` record is created
+
+## Inputs
+- parent_dns_domains (list[str], optional): FQDNs to evaluate. If empty, the role flattens CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS_ALL.
+- PRIMARY_DOMAIN (apex), defaults_networks.internet.ip4, optional defaults_networks.internet.ip6
+- Flags:
+  - parent_dns_enabled (bool, default: true)
+  - parent_dns_ipv6_enabled (bool, default: true)
+  - parent_dns_proxied (bool, default: false)
+
+## Usage
+- Include the role once after your constructor stage has set CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS_ALL.

roles/sys-dns-wildcards/defaults/main.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+parent_dns_proxied: true
+parent_dns_domains: []
+parent_dns_ipv6_enabled: true

roles/sys-dns-wildcards/filter_plugins/wildcard_dns.py

@@ -25,16 +25,12 @@ def _parent_of_child(domain: str, apex: str) -> str | None:
     return ".".join(parts[1:])  # drop exactly the left-most label
 
 
-def _flatten_domains(current_play_domains: dict) -> list[str]:
+def _flatten_domains_any_structure(domains_like) -> list[str]:
     """
-    Accept CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS values as:
+    Accepts CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS_ALL-like structures:
-      - str
+      - dict values: str | list/tuple/set[str] | dict (one level deeper)
-      - list/tuple/set[str]
+    Returns unique, sorted host list.
-      - dict -> recurse one level (values must be str or list-like[str])
     """
-    if not isinstance(current_play_domains, dict):
-        raise AnsibleFilterError("CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS must be a dict of {app_id: hostnames-or-structures}")
-
     hosts: list[str] = []
 
     def _add_any(x):
@@ -53,17 +49,18 @@ def _flatten_domains(current_play_domains: dict) -> list[str]:
             for v in x.values():
                 _add_any(v)
             return
-        raise AnsibleFilterError(f"Unsupported CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS value type: {type(x).__name__}")
+        raise AnsibleFilterError(f"Unsupported value type: {type(x).__name__}")
 
-    for v in current_play_domains.values():
+    if not isinstance(domains_like, dict):
+        raise AnsibleFilterError("Expected a dict for CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS_ALL")
+    for v in domains_like.values():
         _add_any(v)
-
     return sorted(set(hosts))
 
 
-def _parents_from(domains: list[str], apex: str, *, min_child_depth: int, include_apex: bool) -> list[str]:
+def _parents_from(domains: list[str], apex: str, *, min_child_depth: int) -> list[str]:
     _validate(apex)
-    parents = set([apex]) if include_apex else set()
+    parents = set()
     for d in domains:
         _validate(d)
         if not d.endswith(apex):
@@ -75,21 +72,6 @@ def _parents_from(domains: list[str], apex: str, *, min_child_depth: int, includ
     return sorted(parents)
 
 
-def _relative_names(fqdns: list[str], apex: str) -> list[str]:
-    """FQDN -> relative name; '' represents the apex."""
-    _validate(apex)
-    out: list[str] = []
-    for d in fqdns:
-        _validate(d)
-        if not d.endswith(apex):
-            continue
-        if d == apex:
-            out.append("")
-        else:
-            out.append(d[: -(len(apex) + 1)])  # strip ".apex"
-    return sorted(set(out))
-
-
 def _is_global(ip: str) -> bool:
     try:
         return ipaddress.ip_address(ip).is_global
@@ -97,99 +79,79 @@ def _is_global(ip: str) -> bool:
         return False
 
 
-def _build_cf_records(
+def _build_wildcard_records(
-    rel_parents: list[str],
+    parents: list[str],
     apex: str,
     *,
     ip4: str,
     ip6: str | None,
-    ipv6_enabled: bool,
     proxied: bool,
-    wildcard_children: bool,
+    ipv6_enabled: bool,
-    apex_wildcard: bool,
 ) -> list[dict]:
-    if not isinstance(rel_parents, list):
+    if not isinstance(parents, list):
-        raise AnsibleFilterError("rel_parents must be list[str]")
+        raise AnsibleFilterError("parents must be list[str]")
     _validate(apex)
     if not ip4:
         raise AnsibleFilterError("ip4 required")
 
     records: list[dict] = []
 
-    def _add_one(name: str, rtype: str, content: str):
+    def _add(name: str, rtype: str, content: str):
         records.append({
             "zone": apex,
             "type": rtype,
-            "name": name if name else "@",
+            "name": name,
             "content": content,
             "proxied": bool(proxied),
             "ttl": 1,
         })
 
-    for rel in sorted(set(rel_parents)):
+    for p in sorted(set(parents)):
-        # base (parent) host
+        rel = p[:-len(apex)-1] if p != apex else ""  # relative part; apex shouldn't produce wildcard
-        _add_one(rel, "A", str(ip4))
+        if not rel:
+            # Do NOT create *.apex here (explicitly excluded by requirement)
+            continue
+        wc = f"*.{rel}"
+        _add(wc, "A", str(ip4))
         if ipv6_enabled and ip6 and _is_global(str(ip6)):
-            _add_one(rel, "AAAA", str(ip6))
+            _add(wc, "AAAA", str(ip6))
-
-        # wildcard children under the parent
-        if rel and wildcard_children:
-            wc = f"*.{rel}"
-            _add_one(wc, "A", str(ip4))
-            if ipv6_enabled and ip6 and _is_global(str(ip6)):
-                _add_one(wc, "AAAA", str(ip6))
-
-    # optional apex wildcard (*.example.com)
-    if apex_wildcard:
-        _add_one("*", "A", str(ip4))
-        if ipv6_enabled and ip6 and _is_global(str(ip6)):
-            _add_one("*", "AAAA", str(ip6))
-
     return records
 
 
-def parent_build_records(
+def wildcard_records(
-    current_play_domains: dict,
+    current_play_domains_all: dict,
     apex: str,
     ip4: str,
     ip6: str | None = None,
     proxied: bool = False,
     explicit_domains: list[str] | None = None,
-    include_apex: bool = True,
     min_child_depth: int = 2,
-    wildcard_children: bool = True,
+    ipv6_enabled: bool = True,
-    include_apex_wildcard: bool = False,
-    ipv6_enabled: bool = False,
 ) -> list[dict]:
     """
-    Return Cloudflare A/AAAA records for:
+    Build only wildcard records for parents:
-      - each parent host ('' == apex),
+      for each parent 'parent.apex' -> create '*.parent' A/AAAA.
-      - optionally '*.parent' for wildcard children,
+      No base parent records and no '*.apex' are created.
-      - optionally '*.apex'.
     """
-    # source domains
+    # Source domains
     if explicit_domains and len(explicit_domains) > 0:
         domains = sorted(set(explicit_domains))
     else:
-        domains = _flatten_domains(current_play_domains)
+        domains = _flatten_domains_any_structure(current_play_domains_all)
 
-    parents = _parents_from(domains, apex, min_child_depth=min_child_depth, include_apex=include_apex)
+    parents = _parents_from(domains, apex, min_child_depth=min_child_depth)
-    rel_parents = _relative_names(parents, apex)
+    return _build_wildcard_records(
-
+        parents,
-    return _build_cf_records(
-        rel_parents,
         apex,
         ip4=ip4,
         ip6=ip6,
-        ipv6_enabled=ipv6_enabled,
         proxied=proxied,
-        wildcard_children=wildcard_children,
+        ipv6_enabled=ipv6_enabled,
-        apex_wildcard=include_apex_wildcard,
     )
 
 
 class FilterModule(object):
     def filters(self):
         return {
-            "parent_build_records": parent_build_records,
+            "wildcard_records": wildcard_records,
         }

roles/sys-dns-wildcards/meta/main.yml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 galaxy_info:
   author: "Kevin Veen-Birkenbach"
-  description: "Create Cloudflare DNS records only for parent hosts (and apex)."
+  description: "Create Cloudflare wildcard DNS records (*.parent) for parent hosts; no base or *.apex records."
   license: "Infinito.Nexus NonCommercial License"
   min_ansible_version: "2.12"
   galaxy_tags: [dns, cloudflare, automation]

roles/sys-dns-wildcards/tasks/01_core.yml

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   include_role:
     name: sys-dns-cloudflare-records
   vars:
-    cloudflare_records: "{{ SYN_DNS_PARENT_HOSTS_RECORDS }}"
+    cloudflare_records: "{{ SYN_DNS_WILDCARD_RECORDS }}"
   when: DNS_PROVIDER == 'cloudflare'
 
 - include_tasks: utils/run_once.yml

roles/sys-dns-wildcards/tasks/main.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+- block:
+  - include_tasks: 01_core.yml
+  when: run_once_sys_dns_wildcards is not defined

roles/sys-dns-wildcards/vars/main.yml

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-SYN_DNS_PARENT_HOSTS_RECORDS: >-
+SYN_DNS_WILDCARD_RECORDS: >-
   {{ CURRENT_PLAY_DOMAINS_ALL
-      | parent_build_records(
+      | wildcard_records(
           PRIMARY_DOMAIN,
           defaults_networks.internet.ip4,
           (defaults_networks.internet.ip6 | default('')),
           parent_dns_proxied,
           (parent_dns_domains | default([])),
-          True,
+          2,
-          2
+          parent_dns_ipv6_enabled
         )
   }}

roles/sys-svc-dns/README.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 Bootstrap and maintain **DNS prerequisites** for your web stack on Cloudflare.
 
 This role validates credentials and (by default) ensures:
-- **Parent host A/AAAA records** (incl. the **apex** SLD.TLD) via `sys-dns-parent-hosts`
+- **Wildcard A/AAAA records** (`*.parent`) for parent hosts via `sys-dns-wildcards` (no base/apex records)
 - *(Optional)* **CAA** records for Let’s Encrypt (kept as a commented block you can re-enable)
 
 Runs **once per play** and is safe to include in stacks that roll out many domains.
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ Runs **once per play** and is safe to include in stacks that roll out many domai
 ## What it does
 
 1. **Validate `CLOUDFLARE_API_TOKEN`** is present (early fail if missing).
-2. **Ensure parent DNS exists** (apex + “parent” FQDNs derived from children):
+2. **Ensure wildcard parent DNS exists** (`*.parent` derived from children):
-   - Delegates to [`sys-dns-parent-hosts`](../sys-dns-parent-hosts/README.md)
+   - Delegates to [`sys-dns-wildcards`](../sys-dns-wildcards/README.md)
-   - Creates A (and AAAA if enabled upstream) on the Cloudflare zone, optionally proxied.
+   - Creates `A` (and `AAAA` if enabled) wildcard records on the Cloudflare zone, optionally proxied. 
 3. *(Optional)* **CAA records** for all base SLDs (commented in the tasks; enable if you want CAA managed here).
 
 > Parent hosts example:  

roles/sys-svc-dns/tasks/01_core.yml

@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@
   async: "{{ ASYNC_TIME if ASYNC_ENABLED | bool else omit }}"
   poll:  "{{ ASYNC_POLL if ASYNC_ENABLED | bool else omit }}"
 
-- name: "Ensure parent DNS (apex + parent FQDNs) exists"
+- name: "Ensure wildcard parent DNS (*.parent) exists"
   include_role:
-    name: sys-dns-parent-hosts
+    name: sys-dns-wildcards
   vars:
     parent_dns_proxied: false
-  when: run_once_sys_dns_parent_hosts is not defined
+  when: run_once_sys_dns_wildcards is not defined
 
 - include_tasks: utils/run_once.yml

tests/unit/roles/sys-dns-parent-hosts/filter_plugins/test_parent_dns.py

@@ -1,131 +0,0 @@
-import os
-import sys
-import unittest
-
-# Make the filter plugin importable
-ROOT = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "../../../../.."))
-FILTER_PATH = os.path.join(ROOT, "roles", "sys-dns-parent-hosts", "filter_plugins")
-if FILTER_PATH not in sys.path:
-    sys.path.insert(0, FILTER_PATH)
-
-from parent_dns import parent_build_records  # noqa: E402
-
-
-def has_record(records, rtype, name, zone):
-    """True if an exact (type, name, zone) record exists."""
-    return any(
-        r.get("type") == rtype and r.get("name") == name and r.get("zone") == zone
-        for r in records
-    )
-
-
-def has_name_or_wildcard(records, rtype, label, zone):
-    """True if either <label> or *.<label> exists for (type, zone)."""
-    return has_record(records, rtype, label, zone) or has_record(
-        records, rtype, f"*.{label}", zone
-    )
-
-
-class TestParentDNS(unittest.TestCase):
-    def test_end_to_end_with_ipv6(self):
-        current = {
-            "web-app-foo": [
-                "example.com",
-                "wiki.example.com",
-                "c.wiki.example.com",
-                "a.b.example.com",
-            ],
-            "web-app-bar": ["foo.other.com"],  # different apex -> ignored
-        }
-
-        recs = parent_build_records(
-            current_play_domains=current,
-            apex="example.com",
-            ip4="192.0.2.10",
-            ip6="2001:db8::10",  # AAAA may or may not be emitted by role; treat as optional
-            proxied=True,
-            explicit_domains=None,
-            include_apex=True,
-            min_child_depth=2,
-        )
-
-        # Apex must resolve
-        self.assertTrue(has_record(recs, "A", "@", "example.com"))
-
-        # Parents may be plain or wildcard (or both)
-        self.assertTrue(has_name_or_wildcard(recs, "A", "wiki", "example.com"))
-        self.assertTrue(has_name_or_wildcard(recs, "A", "b", "example.com"))
-
-        # AAAA optional: if present, at least apex AAAA must exist
-        if any(r.get("type") == "AAAA" for r in recs):
-            self.assertTrue(has_record(recs, "AAAA", "@", "example.com"))
-
-        # Proxied flag is propagated
-        self.assertTrue(all(r.get("proxied") is True for r in recs if r["type"] in ("A", "AAAA")))
-
-    def test_explicit_domains_without_ipv6(self):
-        explicit = ["example.com", "c.wiki.example.com", "x.y.example.com"]
-
-        recs = parent_build_records(
-            current_play_domains={"ignore": ["foo.example.com"]},
-            apex="example.com",
-            ip4="198.51.100.5",
-            ip6="",  # No IPv6 -> no AAAA expected
-            proxied=False,
-            explicit_domains=explicit,
-            include_apex=True,
-            min_child_depth=2,
-        )
-
-        # Apex must resolve
-        self.assertTrue(has_record(recs, "A", "@", "example.com"))
-
-        # Parents may be plain or wildcard
-        self.assertTrue(has_name_or_wildcard(recs, "A", "wiki", "example.com"))
-        self.assertTrue(has_name_or_wildcard(recs, "A", "y", "example.com"))
-
-        # No IPv6 supplied -> there should be no AAAA records
-        self.assertFalse(any(r.get("type") == "AAAA" for r in recs))
-
-    def test_current_play_domains_may_contain_dicts(self):
-        # Dict values with strings and lists inside must be accepted and flattened.
-        current = {
-            "web-app-foo": {
-                "prod": "wiki.example.com",
-                "preview": ["c.wiki.example.com"],
-            },
-            "web-app-bar": ["irrelevant.other.com"],  # different apex, ignored
-        }
-
-        recs = parent_build_records(
-            current_play_domains=current,
-            apex="example.com",
-            ip4="203.0.113.7",
-            ip6=None,
-            proxied=False,
-            explicit_domains=None,
-            include_apex=True,
-            min_child_depth=2,
-        )
-
-        self.assertTrue(has_record(recs, "A", "@", "example.com"))
-        self.assertTrue(has_name_or_wildcard(recs, "A", "wiki", "example.com"))
-
-    def test_invalid_inputs_raise(self):
-        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
-            parent_build_records(
-                current_play_domains={"ok": ["example.com"]},
-                apex="",  # invalid apex
-                ip4="192.0.2.1",
-            )
-
-        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
-            parent_build_records(
-                current_play_domains={"ok": ["example.com"]},
-                apex="example.com",
-                ip4="",  # required
-            )
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()

tests/unit/roles/sys-dns-wildcards/filter_plugins/test_wildcard_dns.py

@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+# tests/unit/roles/sys-dns-wildcards/filter_plugins/test_wildcard_dns.py
+import unittest
+import importlib.util
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+def _load_module():
+    """
+    Load the wildcard_dns filter plugin from:
+      roles/sys-dns-wildcards/filter_plugins/wildcard_dns.py
+    """
+    here = Path(__file__).resolve()
+    # Go up to repository root (…/tests/unit/roles/… → 5 levels up)
+    repo_root = here.parents[5] if len(here.parents) >= 6 else here.parents[0]
+
+    path = repo_root / "roles" / "sys-dns-wildcards" / "filter_plugins" / "wildcard_dns.py"
+    if not path.exists():
+        raise FileNotFoundError(f"Could not find {path}")
+
+    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location("wildcard_dns", path)
+    mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+    assert spec and spec.loader
+    spec.loader.exec_module(mod)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+    return mod
+
+
+_wildcard_dns = _load_module()
+
+
+def _get_filter():
+    """Return the wildcard_records filter function from the plugin."""
+    fm = _wildcard_dns.FilterModule()
+    filters = fm.filters()
+    if "wildcard_records" not in filters:
+        raise AssertionError("wildcard_records filter not found")
+    return filters["wildcard_records"]
+
+
+def _as_set(records):
+    """Normalize records for order-independent comparison."""
+    return {
+        (r.get("type"), r.get("name"), r.get("content"), bool(r.get("proxied")))
+        for r in records
+    }
+
+
+class TestWildcardDNS(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.wildcard_records = _get_filter()
+
+    def test_only_wildcards_no_apex_or_base(self):
+        apex = "example.com"
+        cpda = {
+            "svc-a": ["c.wiki.example.com", "a.b.example.com"],
+            "svc-b": {"extra": ["www.a.b.example.com"]},
+            "svc-c": "example.com",
+        }
+
+        recs = self.wildcard_records(
+            current_play_domains_all=cpda,
+            apex=apex,
+            ip4="203.0.113.10",
+            ip6="2606:4700:4700::1111",
+            proxied=True,
+            explicit_domains=None,
+            min_child_depth=2,
+            ipv6_enabled=True,
+        )
+
+        got = _as_set(recs)
+        expected = {
+            ("A", "*.wiki", "203.0.113.10", True),
+            ("AAAA", "*.wiki", "2606:4700:4700::1111", True),
+            ("A", "*.b", "203.0.113.10", True),
+            ("AAAA", "*.b", "2606:4700:4700::1111", True),
+            # now included because www.a.b.example.com promotes a.b.example.com as a parent
+            ("A", "*.a.b", "203.0.113.10", True),
+            ("AAAA", "*.a.b", "2606:4700:4700::1111", True),
+        }
+        self.assertEqual(got, expected)
+
+    def test_min_child_depth_prevents_apex_wildcard(self):
+        apex = "example.com"
+        cpda = {"svc": ["x.example.com"]}  # depth = 1
+
+        recs = self.wildcard_records(
+            current_play_domains_all=cpda,
+            apex=apex,
+            ip4="198.51.100.42",
+            ip6="2606:4700:4700::1111",
+            proxied=False,
+            explicit_domains=None,
+            min_child_depth=2,  # requires >= 2 → no parent derived
+            ipv6_enabled=True,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(recs, [])
+
+    def test_ipv6_disabled_and_private_ipv6_filtered(self):
+        apex = "example.com"
+        cpda = {"svc": ["a.b.example.com"]}
+
+        # IPv6 disabled → only A record
+        recs1 = self.wildcard_records(
+            current_play_domains_all=cpda,
+            apex=apex,
+            ip4="203.0.113.9",
+            ip6="2606:4700:4700::1111",
+            proxied=False,
+            explicit_domains=None,
+            min_child_depth=2,
+            ipv6_enabled=False,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(_as_set(recs1), {("A", "*.b", "203.0.113.9", False)})
+
+        # IPv6 enabled but ULA (not global) → skip AAAA
+        recs2 = self.wildcard_records(
+            current_play_domains_all=cpda,
+            apex=apex,
+            ip4="203.0.113.9",
+            ip6="fd00::1",
+            proxied=False,
+            explicit_domains=None,
+            min_child_depth=2,
+            ipv6_enabled=True,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(_as_set(recs2), {("A", "*.b", "203.0.113.9", False)})
+
+    def test_proxied_flag_true_is_set(self):
+        recs = self.wildcard_records(
+            current_play_domains_all={"svc": ["a.b.example.com"]},
+            apex="example.com",
+            ip4="203.0.113.7",
+            ip6=None,
+            proxied=True,
+            explicit_domains=None,
+            min_child_depth=2,
+            ipv6_enabled=True,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(all(r.get("proxied") is True for r in recs))
+        self.assertEqual(_as_set(recs), {("A", "*.b", "203.0.113.7", True)})
+
+    def test_explicit_domains_override_source(self):
+        cpda = {"svc": ["ignore.me.example.com", "a.b.example.com"]}
+        explicit = ["c.wiki.example.com"]
+
+        recs = self.wildcard_records(
+            current_play_domains_all=cpda,
+            apex="example.com",
+            ip4="203.0.113.5",
+            ip6="2606:4700:4700::1111",
+            proxied=False,
+            explicit_domains=explicit,
+            min_child_depth=2,
+            ipv6_enabled=True,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            _as_set(recs),
+            {
+                ("A", "*.wiki", "203.0.113.5", False),
+                ("AAAA", "*.wiki", "2606:4700:4700::1111", False),
+            },
+        )
+
+    def test_nested_structures_flattened_correctly(self):
+        cpda = {
+            "svc1": {
+                "primary": ["c.wiki.example.com"],
+                "extra": {"alt": ["a.b.example.com"]},
+            },
+            "svc2": "www.a.b.example.com",
+            "svc3": ["x.example.net"],  # wrong apex → ignored
+        }
+
+        recs = self.wildcard_records(
+            current_play_domains_all=cpda,
+            apex="example.com",
+            ip4="203.0.113.21",
+            ip6="2606:4700:4700::1111",
+            proxied=False,
+            explicit_domains=None,
+            min_child_depth=2,
+            ipv6_enabled=True,
+        )
+        got = _as_set(recs)
+        expected = {
+            ("A", "*.wiki", "203.0.113.21", False),
+            ("AAAA", "*.wiki", "2606:4700:4700::1111", False),
+            ("A", "*.b", "203.0.113.21", False),
+            ("AAAA", "*.b", "2606:4700:4700::1111", False),
+            # now included because www.a.b.example.com promotes a.b.example.com as a parent
+            ("A", "*.a.b", "203.0.113.21", False),
+            ("AAAA", "*.a.b", "2606:4700:4700::1111", False),
+        }
+        self.assertEqual(got, expected)
+
+    def test_error_on_missing_ip4(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            self.wildcard_records(
+                current_play_domains_all={"svc": ["a.b.example.com"]},
+                apex="example.com",
+                ip4="",  # must not be empty
+                ip6=None,
+                proxied=False,
+                explicit_domains=None,
+                min_child_depth=2,
+                ipv6_enabled=True,
+            )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()