# Creating Projects

You can create Editor projects in two ways:

1. Create a project based on a number of predefined starter kits.
2. Fork an existing project, using it as a starting point.

Both are done from the [Project Dashboard](https://developer.playcanvas.com/user-manual/editor/projects/dashboard.md).

## Create a Project from the Project Dashboard

1. Open the Project Dashboard at [playcanvas.com/editor](https://playcanvas.com/editor).
2. Select **New project** in the sidebar.

   [Image: New Project Button]

3. Pick a starter kit.

   [Image: New Project Dialog]

4. Set the name, description and owner, and choose whether the project is **Private**.
5. Select **Create project**.

[Video](https://developer.playcanvas.com/video/editor-project-dashboard-new-project.mp4)

When the project is ready, the dialog says "Your new project is ready. It opens in a new tab." Select **Open project** to open it in its own tab, or **Not now** to stay on the dashboard.

### Starter Kits

Every project starts from a starter kit:

- **Empty Project**: A project with nothing in it
- **Blank Project** (the default): A scene with a skybox, a cube and a plane to start from
- **Model Viewer**: A simple starter kit for viewing 3D models
- **VR Kit**: A starter kit showing how to enter and exit a WebXR-based VR session
- **3D Gaussian Splat**: A starter kit for 3D Gaussian Splats
- **Roll a Ball**: A simple physics-based 3D game
- **WebXR AR Starter Kit**: A starter kit showing how to initiate a WebXR-based AR session
- **First Person Shooter**: The basis for an FPS-type game or experience

:::note

You can only create private projects with a Personal or Organization plan.

:::

## Fork an Existing Project

Forking allows you to create a new project based on an existing public project (or a private project of which you are a team member). This is useful for:

- Using another project as a starting point for your own work
- Creating backups of your own projects
- Learning from example projects created by other developers
- Experimenting with modifications without affecting the original

### How to Fork a Project

To fork a project from the [Project Dashboard](https://developer.playcanvas.com/user-manual/editor/projects/dashboard.md):

1. Select the **⋮** button on the project's card or row, then **Fork**.

   [Image: Fork Project Button]

2. The fork dialog shows the project you are forking from, with its name and description filled in. Change them, and the owner, as needed.

   [Image: Fork Project Dialog]

3. Select **Fork project**.

[Video](https://developer.playcanvas.com/video/editor-project-dashboard-fork.mp4)

The dialog explains why instead of showing the form when a project can't be forked: it uses legacy scripts, its owner keeps its source assets private and you can't edit it, or it is private and the new owner has no paid plan.

### What Gets Forked

When you fork a project, the entire main branch is copied to your new project:

- All scenes and their settings
- All assets (textures, models, scripts, etc.)
- Project settings

### What Doesn't Get Forked

Forking has some limitations:

- **Version control history** is not preserved
- **Only the main branch** is copied (other branches are ignored)
- **Team members** are not copied (you become the sole owner)
- **Development logs** and project activity are not copied

### After Forking

Once your fork is created:

- You have full ownership and control over the new project
- You can modify, delete, or further develop the project as needed
- The fork is completely independent from the original project
- You can add your own team members and configure project settings

Forked projects appear in your project list just like any other project you've created.

:::tip

A fork's **Project settings** on the Project Dashboard show a **Forked From** link to the project it was forked from.

:::