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

# Areas and Projects

> Organize your workspace with areas and projects for maximum efficiency

Within your workspace, areas and projects create the organizational structure for your work. Understanding how to use them effectively is key to keeping your team organized.

## Organizational Hierarchy

Trilo uses a three-level structure:

```
Workspace
└── Areas (categories)
    └── Projects (where work happens)
        ├── Tasks
        ├── Resources
        ├── Chat
        └── Calendar
```

## Areas

### What Are Areas?

Areas are high-level categories that group related projects. Think of them as folders or departments within your workspace.

**Example areas:**

* Engineering
* Marketing
* Operations
* Client Projects
* Product

### Creating an Area

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the sidebar">
    Look at the navigation sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click + or New Area">
    Find the add button near the Areas section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name your area">
    Enter a clear, descriptive name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Your area is created and ready for projects.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Area Settings

Each area has settings you can configure:

| Setting         | Description                                     |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**        | The area's display name                         |
| **Description** | Optional description of what this area contains |
| **Icon/Color**  | Visual customization for easy identification    |

### Managing Areas

#### Renaming

1. Right-click the area name
2. Select **Rename**
3. Enter the new name
4. Press Enter

#### Reordering

Drag areas in the sidebar to reorder them.

#### Archiving

For areas no longer active:

1. Right-click the area
2. Select **Archive**
3. Archived areas are hidden but preserved

## Projects

### What Are Projects?

Projects are where your actual work happens. Each project contains:

* **Tasks**: Work items to complete
* **Resources**: Knowledge base content (pages, spreadsheets, boards)
* **Chat**: Project-specific communication channel
* **Calendar**: Project-related events

### Creating a Project

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to an area">
    Find the area where you want to create a project.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click + or New Project">
    Click the add button within the area.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the project">
    Enter name, prefix, and other settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create">
    Your project is ready to use.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Project Settings

| Setting         | Description                                       |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**        | Project's display name                            |
| **Prefix**      | Short code for task IDs (e.g., "PROD" for PROD-1) |
| **Description** | What this project is about                        |
| **Due date**    | Optional project deadline                         |
| **Status**      | Active, Completed, or Archived                    |
| **AI features** | Enable/disable AI coworkers for this project      |

### Project Prefix

The prefix creates unique task IDs:

* Set a 2-4 character prefix
* Tasks get IDs like `PROD-1`, `PROD-2`
* Makes tasks easy to reference in chat and docs

**Good prefix examples:**

* PROD (Product)
* MKT (Marketing)
* ENG (Engineering)
* CLIENT (Client project)

### Managing Projects

#### Renaming

1. Open project settings
2. Edit the name field
3. Save changes

#### Moving to Another Area

1. Open project settings
2. Find the **Area** field
3. Select the new area
4. Save changes

#### Archiving

For completed projects:

1. Open project settings
2. Change status to **Archived**
3. Or right-click and select **Archive**

Archived projects:

* Are hidden from normal view
* Preserve all data and history
* Can be restored later

#### Deleting

<Warning>
  Deleting a project removes all its tasks, resources, and chat history permanently.
</Warning>

1. Open project settings
2. Find **Delete project**
3. Confirm deletion

## Navigating Projects

### Sidebar Navigation

* Areas listed in the sidebar
* Expand areas to see projects
* Click project name to open it
* Star projects for quick access

### Within a Project

After opening a project, use the navigation to access:

* **Overview**: Project summary
* **Tasks**: Task management
* **Resources**: Knowledge base
* **Chat**: Project channel
* **Calendar**: Project events

### Quick Access

**Starred projects** appear at the top:

1. Right-click any project
2. Select **Add to favorites** or click the star icon
3. Project appears in quick access section

## Organizing Your Workspace

### By Department/Team

```
Workspace
├── Engineering
│   ├── Backend Development
│   ├── Frontend Development
│   └── DevOps
├── Product
│   ├── Roadmap
│   └── User Research
└── Marketing
    ├── Content
    └── Campaigns
```

### By Client

```
Workspace
├── Internal
│   ├── Operations
│   └── Team Development
├── Client: Acme Corp
│   ├── Website Redesign
│   └── Mobile App
└── Client: Beta Inc
    └── Consulting Project
```

### By Initiative/Quarter

```
Workspace
├── Q1 2024
│   ├── Product Launch
│   └── Marketing Push
├── Q2 2024
│   └── Feature Development
└── Ongoing
    ├── Customer Support
    └── Maintenance
```

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Keep areas broad, projects specific">
    Areas should be high-level categories. Projects should be specific initiatives or ongoing work streams.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use consistent naming">
    Establish naming conventions so everyone can find things easily. Document your conventions for new team members.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Archive completed work">
    Don't delete completed projects—archive them. You may need to reference them later.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Review organization periodically">
    As your team grows, review your structure. What made sense for 5 people may not work for 50.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Star frequently used projects">
    Keep your most-used projects in quick access to reduce navigation time.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can't find a project">
    * Check if it was archived (view archived items)
    * Use search (`Cmd/Ctrl + K`)
    * Check if you have access to the area
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can't create projects in an area">
    * Verify you have permission to create projects
    * Check if the area is archived
    * Contact your workspace admin
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Project prefix already taken">
    * Each prefix must be unique within a workspace
    * Choose a different prefix
    * Consider adding numbers (MKT1, MKT2)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Project Settings" icon="gear" href="/workspaces/project-settings">
    Dive deeper into project configuration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Inviting Members" icon="user-plus" href="/collaboration/inviting-members">
    Add team members to your projects.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>