# Projects

A project is the starting point for everything in ProForge Core. Every bill, payroll entry, vendor invoice, and report ties back to a project. Setting one up takes a few minutes and keeps all your job data organized from day one.

## How It Works

A project holds the basic details about a job -- who the customer is, where the work is, what the contract amount is, and which cost codes apply. Once the project is created, you can start billing, entering payroll, and tracking costs against it.

## Steps

1. Go to **Projects** and click **New Project**.
2. Enter the project name (usually the job name or address).
3. Select the **Customer** this project belongs to. If the customer does not exist yet, you can create one from this screen.
4. Enter the **Contract Amount** -- the total value of the contract with the customer.
5. Set the **Start Date** and expected **End Date** for the job.
6. Add the **Job Address** so it appears on forms and reports.
7. Assign **Cost Codes** to the project. These are the budget categories you will track expenses against (like Labor, Materials, Subcontractors). You can pick from your master list or add new ones.
8. Click **Save**.

Your project is now ready. You can start creating AIA bills, entering payroll hours, and importing vendor bills against it.

![create project basics (step 1)](/files/HDDJqIkEq830HkNwnSjg)

![create project dates address (step 2)](/files/UtanW0FNuUkF8bL1izUV)

![create project dates address (step 3)](/files/5DjIlef0EJX6nyiDQ3Us)

![project list](/files/mr6oaJfE8c9rBwbbnByj)

## Related Pages

* [Cost Codes](/project-management/proforge-core/setting-up-a-project/cost-codes.md) -- learn how cost codes organize your budget
* [Creating an AIA Bill](/project-management/proforge-core/aia-billing/creating-an-aia-bill.md) -- bill the customer for work completed
* [Work in Progress Report](/project-management/proforge-core/reports/work-in-progress.md) -- see financials for all your projects


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