# Creating Your First Project

**Category:** [Project Manager](https://help.totalctrl.app/hc/totalctrl/totalctrl-help-center/en-US/categories/project-manager)
**Updated:** 2026-08-19

## Create a project

  
- Open **Projects** from the sidebar.
  
- Click **New project**.
  
- Give your project a name and optional description.
  
- Choose a **board template** to pre-populate columns, or start blank.
  
- Set the **access mode** (Private, Invite-only, or Public).
  
- Click **Create project**.

## Customise your board

Once created, you can:

  
- **Add columns:** Click *+ Add column* at the right end of the board. Give it a name and colour.
  
- **Rename or recolour columns:** Click the column header menu (⋯).
  
- **Reorder columns:** Drag a column header left or right.
  
- **Mark a column as Done:** Flag one column as the terminal "done" state. Tasks moved here can trigger optional invoice creation if the project is linked to a CRM deal.

## Try AI project generation

If you'd rather let AI design the initial structure, click **Generate with AI** from the new project screen, type a brief description of your project's goal, and TotalCtrl will build out your board automatically.

## Board templates

Save any board structure as a reusable template under **Projects → Board Templates**. Templates capture column names, colours, and done-flags — not tasks — so they work as repeatable workflows.

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## Related Articles

- [Project Manager overview](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/project-manager-overview)
- [Working with Tasks](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/working-with-tasks)
- [Conditions: reacting to one value](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/project-automation-conditions)
- [Every trigger, and what it carries](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/project-automation-triggers)
- [Create and organize a project](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/create-a-project)

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