> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help-center-starter-replace-template-content.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a project

> Set up a new Mintlify docs site from an existing repository or from scratch.

Each Mintlify project corresponds to one docs site, backed by a Git repository. You can create a project from an existing repository or let Mintlify create a new one.

## From an existing repository

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Mintlify dashboard">
    Go to [dashboard.mintlify.com](https://dashboard.mintlify.com) and click **New project**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect your repository">
    Select your Git provider (GitHub or GitLab) and choose the repository. If you don't see the repository, check that the Mintlify GitHub App is installed on the correct organization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the project">
    Set the **Docs root** if your documentation lives in a subdirectory (for example, `docs/`). Leave it empty if your docs are at the repository root.

    Give the project a name — this is how it appears in your dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy">
    Click **Create project**. Mintlify clones the repository and starts the first build. Your site will be live at a `*.mintlify.app` URL within a minute or two.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## From a template

If you don't have an existing docs repository, Mintlify can create one for you from a starter template:

1. Click **New project → Start from template**.
2. Choose a template (blank, API reference, help center, etc.).
3. Choose or create a GitHub repository for the template to be pushed to.
4. Complete the setup — Mintlify creates the repo, installs the GitHub App, and deploys the starter site.

## Project naming

Use a descriptive name that helps you identify the project in the dashboard — especially if you have multiple docs sites. Good names reference the product or audience: `API Reference`, `Developer Docs`, `Internal Runbooks`.