How to set up proxy in NekoRay
NekoRay is a free, open-source proxy client available on GitHub. It allows you to turn your residential proxy into a full-scale VPN, with broad tunneling rules and robust traffic encryption. Combined with the speed and quality assurance of CyberYozh proxies, you get a robust VPN with high-quality IP, well-suited for personal and business operations.
🛡️ NekoRay overview: A proxy client with secure connection management
NekoRay is a lightweight desktop client that wraps SOCKS5, HTTP, and VLESS/Xray connections into one interface, letting operators route traffic through a proxy with encrypted, VPN-like control.
Note: NekoRay’s official GitHub is archived now. Still, the latest release functions well and supports all proxy connections. Several community forks are still updating, too. If you need a similar proxy client that is still updating, consider adding a proxy to v2rayN instead.
Encrypted connection via VLESS protocol
NekoRay's core strength is native support for the VLESS/Xray protocol, a lightweight routing protocol built to move traffic past deep packet inspection (DPI) and network-level filtering.
Unlike a plain SOCKS5 or HTTP proxy, VLESS wraps the connection in TLS-like encryption and disguises traffic patterns, making it harder for ISPs or firewalls to flag it as proxy traffic. This matters most in regions with active internet censorship or for workflows where a flagged connection means a dropped session.
NekoRay lets you layer VLESS on top of a plain proxy: the proxy supplies the IP, and VLESS supplies the encrypted tunnel. This combination is why NekoRay functions closer to a VPN than a basic proxy client.
But as we’ll see, it’s even better: a VPN connection is usually slower than a direct one, while a proxy connection may be even faster due to high IP quality and optimized routing.
Windows and Linux support are available
NekoRay ships official builds for Windows (.exe) and Linux (.deb, .AppImage). Both versions share the same interface and configuration logic, so a guide written for one platform applies almost directly to the other.
Note: There is no official NekoRay for macOS client, but if you need it, you can use a community fork for macOS.
Wide range of proxification and DNS rules
NekoRay's routing engine lets you decide exactly which traffic goes through the proxy and which goes direct. Available rule types include:
Per-app rules: route specific applications (browser, torrent client, automation script) through the proxy while leaving others on your real IP
Per-domain rules: send traffic to selected domains through the proxy and bypass the rest
Per-IP/subnet rules: exclude local network ranges (LAN, private IPs) from tunneling
DNS rules: assign a custom DNS server for proxied traffic to prevent leaks and resolve blocked domains correctly
These rules live in NekoRay's routing profile editor; check the project's GitHub repository for the full rule syntax and updated rule sets from active forks.
🛜 Get a proxy from CyberYozh: Select a proxy type
Here is a quick summary of everything you should know
Proxy type | Features | Usage | |
Real carrier IPs, from $1.7/day, high speed, highest trust | Social platforms, ads, account creation, trust-sensitive workflows | ||
Real ISP static IP, from $5.29/month, high speed, high trust | Long sessions, SEO, e-commerce, stable regional access | ||
Large rotating IP pool, from $2/GB, medium speed, high trust | Scraping, automation, price monitoring, data aggregation | ||
Dedicated corporate IPs, from $1.9/month, maximum speed, moderate trust | Speed-critical tasks, bulk operations, cost-efficient testing |
If you don’t sure what to select, choose a residential proxy. It has high speed and high quality, enough for most business operations and personal affairs. If you need a stable NekoRay VPN to avoid restrictions and optimize connection, a residential proxy is the best solution. Unlike most ordinary VPNs, it won’t slow down your connection and can even speed it up.
🛠️ Deploy a CyberYozh proxy for NekoRay
Here is how to set up a proxy in NekoRay, step by step.
Download and install NekoRay for your PC
Go to the latest version of NekoRay on GitHub.
Pick the build for your system:
Windows: download the .exe or portable .zip archive
Linux: download the .deb package (Debian/Ubuntu) or the .AppImage (portable, no install needed)
macOS: no official client, check community forks
Run the installer, or launch the .AppImage/.exe directly if you chose a portable build.
Open NekoRay. On first launch, the interface shows an empty profile list and a top menu bar with Server, Program, and other controls.
Since the original repository is archived, download from an actively maintained fork instead if you want to receive new updates.
Add proxy configurations from CyberYozh
Sign up for CyberYozh and log into your dashboard.
Select a proxy of the right type (mobile, residential, rotating residential, or datacenter) based on your workflow.
Get proxy credentials: address, port, username, and password.
In NekoRay, click Server → New profile.
Set the profile type to Socks or HTTP (matching your proxy's protocol).
Enter the address, port, username, and password from your CyberYozh dashboard.
Name the profile and click OK to save it.
When adding a proxy, select HTTP or SOCKS5 protocols, not VLESS or something else. Proxies use these two protocols and don’t encrypt the connection by default; that’s the proxy client's job.
Set up the proxification and DNS rules
Open the routing/rules section in NekoRay's settings.
Decide which apps must go through the proxy and which stay direct: add per-app rules for browsers, messengers, or automation tools that need the CyberYozh IP.
Add domain or IP exclusions for local services, banking apps, or anything that should never route through a foreign IP.
Set a custom DNS server in the routing profile (avoid your ISP's default DNS) to prevent DNS leaks and stop DNS_PROBE_POSSIBLE errors.
Save the routing profile and apply it to your active proxy profile.
Start the connection: right-click the profile and select Start, then enable System proxy or TUN mode depending on whether you want app-level or system-wide tunneling.
Check the NekoRay proxy connection
With the proxy running, open the IP Checker.
Confirm the displayed IP matches your CyberYozh proxy's country and type (mobile, residential, or datacenter).
Run a DNS leak test to confirm your real DNS resolver isn't exposed.
If the IP or DNS doesn't match, recheck your routing rules and DNS settings in NekoRay, then reconnect.
Conclusion: Turn your proxy into a high-quality VPN with NekoRay
NekoRay turns a CyberYozh proxy into a flexible, encrypted connection with granular routing control. Even as an archived project, it remains stable, well-documented, and supported by active community forks. Paired with a mobile or residential CyberYozh proxy, it gives individuals and businesses a fast, high-trust alternative to a traditional VPN.
FAQ about NekoRay proxy connection
Is NekoRay safe to use if the GitHub repo is archived?
Yes, the last stable release still works reliably for proxy connections. Archived only means no new official updates; several community forks continue patching bugs and adding features.
Does NekoRay work with any proxy type?
NekoRay supports SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies natively, plus Shadowsocks, VMess, VLESS, and Trojan through its Xray/V2Ray core. CyberYozh proxies work as SOCKS5 or HTTP profiles.
What's the difference between System proxy and TUN mode?
System proxy routes only proxy-aware apps through NekoRay via OS-level settings. TUN mode creates a virtual network interface and routes all system traffic, closer to a full VPN.
Why do I get DNS_PROBE_POSSIBLE errors?
This usually means DNS queries aren't routed through the proxy tunnel. Set a custom DNS server inside your routing profile instead of relying on your ISP's default resolver.
Can I use NekoRay on macOS?
There's no official macOS build, but a community fork exists for macOS users who need the same interface and routing features.
Should I use HTTP or SOCKS5 for my CyberYozh proxy?
SOCKS5 generally handles more traffic types and works better with automation tools; use HTTP only if your specific workflow requires it. Both protocols work in NekoRay.
Does NekoRay encrypt my connection by itself?
A plain SOCKS5/HTTP proxy profile doesn't add encryption on its own. Encryption comes from layering a VLESS/Xray profile on top, which NekoRay supports natively.
Can I route only specific apps through the proxy?
Yes, NekoRay's per-app rules let you send selected applications through the tunnel while everything else stays on your real connection.
What should I do if NekoRay stops working entirely?
Switch to an actively maintained fork, or move to v2rayN, which supports the same proxy types and is still under active development.
Will a residential proxy slow down my connection in NekoRay?
Not necessarily. High-quality residential proxies, like CyberYozh's, often match or exceed regular VPN speeds since they route through real ISP networks rather than overloaded VPN servers.
Can businesses use NekoRay with CyberYozh proxies for multi-account operations?
Yes, running separate NekoRay profiles per proxy lets teams isolate accounts by IP and region, which supports multi-account and automation workflows at scale.