> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.daylite.app/help/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.daylite.app/help/mac-fundamentals/projects/creating-and-configuring-projects.md).

# How to Create a Project in Daylite

Client work, internal initiatives, anything with a finish line — there are always more moving parts than a task list can hold. Creating a Project puts them in one place: the steps to complete, the people to keep in the loop, and the history of decisions you'll want six months from now. You see what's next without hunting for it, and your team sees where things stand without asking.

**Key Facts:**

* You can create a Project from anywhere in Daylite, including directly from a Contact, email, Task, or Opportunity
* Converting a Task replaces it with a Project while creating a Project from an Opportunity leaves the Opportunity in place
* Every new Project starts with a status of New and is owned by whoever created it
* Assigning a Pipeline puts the Project on the Projects Board and applying an Activity Set fills it with standardized Tasks and Appointments

## Where to Create a Project in Daylite

There are several ways to start a new Project, depending on where you are in the app. New Projects are initially owned by the User creating the Project, which can be changed or delegated to another User on your team.

### From the New Record Button

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="First Tab" %}

1. Click **+ New.**
2. Click **+ New Project**.

<figure><img src="/files/abmU00UJ25DXCYm9u4zF" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can Follow the same steps on any record type by Clicking the Downward arrow next to New+ buttoi
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPhone" %}

1. Select **My Projects** or **All Projects** from your Tabs.
2. Tap the **+** button.

<figure><img src="/files/T89KXHPJQSVOO40fCIq1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPad" %}

1. Tap **My Projects** or **All Projects** in the Daylite Sidebar.
2. Tap the **+** button.

<figure><img src="/files/B5GntYHmBzBgB4RcSh0R" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### From the Projects Board

A Project needs a Pipeline assigned to appear on the Projects Board, so starting one here is the quickest way to be sure it lands on the board.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Mac" %}

1. Select the Pipeline you want to add the Project to.
2. Click **New Project** in the Project Board.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/pw08Z1qSOYx8an24F1yE" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

The Project appears in the **Not Started** column and stays there until you move it to a Stage.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/RXvKw0wuOQQ7FJ2USTyo" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPhone" %}

1. Go to **Projects** in the **All** menu.
2. Tap the **+ New Item** button and create a new Project.
3. Select **set pipeline**, then choose the Pipeline you want the Project to appear under.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/GPFUXf0kxSU4aV90khfI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. Set the **Stage** you want the Project to start at, and add any Activities, Tasks, a Start Date, and Notes.

<figure><img src="/files/KBI5CFQMuc59hpDPRFkm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPad" %}

1. Go to **Projects** in the Sidebar.
2. Tap the **+ New Item** button and select **New Project**.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/h4V9JVyjes8OYBAlypQu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Select **set pipeline**, then choose the Pipeline you want the Project to appear under.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/M81XFavhytP7foH4RGNg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. Set the **Stage** you want the Project to start at, and add any Activities, Tasks, a Start Date, and Notes.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/2GOh86AQkDg2aGF4QxtG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

For more on working Pipeline Boards, see [Project Boards](https://docs.daylite.app/help/mac-fundamentals/projects/project-boards).

### From the Quick Action Bar

Create a Project linked to a record already in your database, such as a Contact, Appointment, or Task. This is the one to use when a client calls and the work starts on the spot. The new Project is linked to the selected record automatically.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Mac" %}

1. Select the record you want to link to a new Project
2. Click the **…** icon in the Quick Action bar.
3. Select **New Project**.

<figure><img src="/files/0uognV5caguP4MvsCQkP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPhone" %}

1. Select the record you want to link to a new Project
2. Click **+ Add Link**
3. Choose **Project**

<figure><img src="/files/1HRjjd0ntY0QhJP6DNcs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPad" %}

1. Select the record you want to link to a new Project
2. Click **+ Add Link**<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/VNp99TTUXatGOKq2y8gs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Choose **Project**

<figure><img src="/files/a8DM8yJLfd4CAFYcEryT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### From an Email

Email is one of the most common ways a Project starts. Creating one from a message keeps the conversation attached, so you can look it up later from the Project's Activity View.

On iPhone and iPad, tap **Add to Daylite** first if the sender is not in your database yet — the button changes to **In Daylite** once they are added.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="First Tab" %}

1. Select the email in Mail in Daylite.
2. Click the **New Project** button in the Action bar.

<figure><img src="/files/pyKVtSEpN93WA5tr6qXD" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Daylite creates a new Project linked to the email and the sender's Contact record.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPhone" %}

1. Add the selected Email to Daylite<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/yOGXoN6z20jCT1O7EDQC" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Tap **+ Add Link** and select **Project**.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/klmKoc9huCzbB42IgSut" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iPad" %}

1. Add the selected Email to Daylite<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/Tigp1SYNY2KdpnDXWqzm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Tap **+ Add Link** and select **Project**.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/xASwKCheiEchOP0ma0k8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

#### Convert a Task to a Project

On the Mac, you can Convert a Task to a Project. That way when you realize the work is bigger than you thought and a single step will not cover it, you don't have to create a Project from Scratch

1. Select a Task you want to convert.
2. Choose **Edit > Convert a Task to a Project**.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/XjuPVzoCjCw5fhp0gQdQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Converting replaces the Task with a Project. The Task no longer exists, and the new Project arrives with its **name**, **category**, **keywords**, **details**, **due date**, and **linked items and history** already filled in.

#### New Project From Opportunity

On the Mac, you can create a Project from an Opportunity. This is how you go from a closed deal to delivering the work.

1. Select the Opportunity you want to start as a New Project.
2. Choose **Edit > New Project From Opportunity** or **…** button in the Quick Action bar.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/mYLAGnngI7ZkHWN3GUxe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Project Fields and Options

A Project needs only a name to save. Everything below is what turns that name into something your team can find, assign, and track.

### Describe the Work

These fields identify the Project and set its timeframe.

* **Name** — a descriptive name that identifies the client and the work at a glance
* **Details** — a description of what the Project delivers
* **Start date** — when the work begins
* **Due date** — the target completion date

### Make It Findable

Classification is what lets you sort and filter your Projects, and what Smart Lists are built on. Fill these in and you can pull up any slice of your work on demand.

**Category** — a top-level classification. A Project can have only one, so it answers "what type of work is this?" Choose one from the **Category** pop-up menu.

* By product or service: Personal Coaching, Group Training, Speaking Event
* By audience: Internal, External
* By department: Marketing, Human Resources, Executive Team

**Keywords** — flexible tags, and a Project can have as many as you need. Click the **+** button next to **Keywords** and type the keyword.

* By objective: Website Revamp, Customer Acquisition, Increasing Customer Satisfaction
* By client type: Referral, Big Contract, Family/Friend
* By options: Additional Photographer, 2-Week Coaching Session, 2 Bedroom

**Priority** — a 1–10 scale indicating the Project's importance relative to your others.

For more on creating and managing Categories and Keywords, see [Categories and Keywords](https://docs.daylite.app/help/mac-fundamentals/segmentation/how-to-segment-your-data).

### Say Who's Involved

Linking people gives the Project its contacts and tells your team who does what. The owner determines who is responsible for it.

**Linked People and Companies** — click **Add Person** or **Add Company**, then assign a **Role** to each one, such as project manager, designer, decision maker, or client.

**Owner** — the person responsible for the Project. New Projects are owned by you.

**Delegate** — hands the Project to another team member. They receive a notification, and the Project appears in their **My Projects** view.

### Set It Up to Move

These options determine where the Project stands, how it progresses, and what work it carries.

**Status** — every new Project starts as **New**. Update it as the work moves along. Daylite gives you six statuses to choose from:

<table data-header-hidden="false" data-header-sticky><thead><tr><th>Status</th><th>Use it when</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>New</td><td>Default for every new Project. It hasn't started yet.</td></tr><tr><td>In Progress</td><td>Work is underway.</td></tr><tr><td>Done</td><td>Delivered and complete.</td></tr><tr><td>Cancelled</td><td>Called off before completion, and it isn't coming back.</td></tr><tr><td>Deferred</td><td>Paused deliberately, expected to resume.</td></tr><tr><td>Abandoned</td><td>Stopped without a decision to cancel — went quiet, no resolution.</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Pipeline and Stage** — a Pipeline is a defined sequence of Stages a Project moves through from start to finish. Assigning one puts the Project on the Projects Board, where you can track it visually and drag it between Stages. Select a Pipeline from the **Pipeline** field.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Status and Stage are not the same thing.**&#x20;

Status is the state of the record — whether the work is running, finished, or stopped. Stage is where the Project sits in your process. A Project can be In Progress at any Stage of its Pipeline.
{% endhint %}

For more on building and editing Pipelines, see [Project Pipelines](https://docs.daylite.app/help/mac-fundamentals/projects/project-pipelines).

**Activity Set** — a reusable checklist of Tasks and Appointments that standardizes your process, so every Project of a given type follows the same steps.

1. Click the **…** button and select **New Activity Set**.
2. Choose the Activity Set you want to apply.
3. Click **Create**.

Daylite adds the predefined Tasks and Appointments, each with due dates set relative to the Project's start or end date.

{% hint style="info" icon="hourglass-clock" %}
**Save time on every Project.**&#x20;

Set default values so new Projects arrive with a Pipeline, Category, and permissions already filled in, and add custom fields to capture information specific to your business
{% endhint %}

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What fields are required when creating a Project in Daylite?**

A Project requires only a name and status. All other fields — start date, due date, category, keywords, priority, and Pipeline — are optional, but filling them in is what makes your Projects sortable, filterable, and trackable on the Board.

**What happens to the Task when I convert it into a Project?**

The Task is replaced. It no longer appears in your Tasks, and its name, category, keywords, details, due date, and linked items and history move to the new Project.

**Does the Opportunity still exist after I create a Project from it?**

Yes. Unlike converting a Task, creating a Project from an Opportunity leaves the Opportunity in place and links the two together, so you keep the sales record alongside the delivery work.

**Can I create more than one Project from the same Opportunity?**

Yes. Most Opportunities lead to a single Project, but you can create several from one Opportunity when you are delivering multiple services that need to be tracked independently.

**Can I link a Project to another Project?**

No. Projects cannot be linked to each other. To keep related Projects together, link them to the same Person or Company, or gather them into a Group.


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