# Creating a repository

Open `/new`, or use the creation form in the repository directory. Sign in and
verify your email before creating a repository.

Choose an owner from your available organizations, then enter:

- **Name:** the repository name within that owner.
- **Visibility:** Private or Public. The browser form defaults to Private;
  private repositories also require an eligible plan when plan enforcement is on.
- **Default branch:** initially `main`; choose the branch people should see when
  opening or cloning the repository.
- **Description:** optional text explaining the repository.

Press **Create**. The page waits for repository preparation before opening the
new repository. If preparation is still running, it reports that state; an
accepted request is not necessarily a ready repository. A failed request shows
its error and keeps the form values. If your access changed after the page
loaded, refresh and select an owner where you still have permission to create.

This form creates an empty repository; it does not offer a README, license or
`.gitignore` template. To copy an existing GitHub repository, use
[GitHub import](https://git.cafe/docs/integrations/github-sync.md).

Use repository settings afterward to manage
[access](https://git.cafe/docs/repositories/repository-access.md), [rulesets](https://git.cafe/docs/repositories/repository-rulesets.md), and supported
[default-branch, visibility and transfer changes](https://git.cafe/docs/repositories/repository-danger-zone.md).