Question:
During new layer creation, we need to join the domain to successfully install our applications. However, we read that only the platform layer should be joined to the domain - can we join the domain while creating an application layer?

Answer:
You can temporarily join a packaging machine to the domain during layer creation or versioning, but you *must* remove it from the domain before finalizing or importing to the Citrix App Layering ELM. If an OS or Application layer is still in the domain when it is finalized, it will cause problems down the line for new desktops created with that layer. The presence of domain information from an OS or App layer may cause broker integration issues or license activation failures. In summary, you can join a layer to the domain while packaging, but you must remove it from that domain before finalization.