> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.faithloft.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a department

> Set up a team or ministry in your church portal.

Departments help you organize teams such as Worship, Outreach, or Youth. You can add members after creating a department.

## Before you begin

You need access to create departments. If **New department** is not available, contact your church administrator.

## Create the department

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Departments">
    In the staff portal, select **Departments**, then select **New department**. You can also use **+ New department** in the top bar when it is available.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how to start">
    Select **Blank** to start with no template, or choose a template if one is available. A template provides a starting setup that you can change later.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the details">
    Enter a name. Faithloft creates a URL slug from the name; you can edit it using lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens. Add an optional description to explain the department's purpose.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose status and visibility">
    Keep the department in **Draft** while you prepare it; draft departments do not appear in member browsing or public views. Choose **Live** when it is ready. Then choose **Private** for department members only, **Members** so any signed-in church member can find it, or **Public** to also show it publicly for your church.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set its appearance and create it">
    Choose a colour. You can optionally paste an HTTPS logo image URL; you can upload a logo after creating the department. Select **Create department**. The new department opens. Select **Members**, then **+ Add member** to add people if you have access.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## If you cannot create it

Make sure the name and slug are filled in. The slug must start with a lowercase letter and can contain lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens. If the slug is already in use, choose a different one. If the create option remains unavailable, ask your church administrator to check your access.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.