# Projects - How to use Jira
[**Article Source**](https://gitlab.com/Syndamia/syndamiadotcom/-/blob/master/src/tutorials/how-to-use-jira/projects.md) || [**GitLab Discussion**](https://gitlab.com/Syndamia/syndamiadotcom/-/issues/4)
**Created: 23 July 2020** || **Edited: 12 September 2020**
[`<<`](./) || [`< Cards`](./cards.html) || [`Kanban template >`](./kanban.html)
In short, **projects are a collection of issues** with added functionality for **organising them, getting statistics, etc**.
## Contents
1. [Creating a project](#creating-a-project)
2. [Boards](#boards)
1. [Columns](#columns)
2. [Adding more boards to a project](#adding-more-boards-to-a-project)
3. [Backlog](#backlog)
4. [Add item](#add-item)
## Creating a project
[](#creating-a-project)
To create a project, either **click on `Create project` from the menu `Projects` in the top bar**,
or **click on the `Create project` button in the `View all projects` page**.
**Note**: when you **have created your account** the first thing you'll see is the `Create project` page.
You'll be met by the `Choose project type` screen. From here choose `Classic project`, in this tutorial the `Next-gen project` types **won't be covered**.
After that you'll need to put a **name** for your project, set a **key** (used as an ID for issues ; it is automatically generated, but you can change it if you want) and select a **template**.
This tutorial covers **only** the three classic software templates: [**Kanban**](./kanban.html), [**Scrum**](./scrum.html) and [**Bug tracking**](./bug.html).
In a nutshell, **templates** govern how **boards and issues should work together**. Later in the tutorial we cover the differences between these templates.
Projects also have [Releases](./releases.html), [Pages](./pages.html) and [Components](./components.html), that are also explored.
## Boards
[](#boards)
Each project contains, amongst many other things, boards. **Boards are a way to better organise results from [filters](./filters.html)**. By default every project gets a board with a filter for all of the project's issues.
### Columns
[](#columns)
**Boards are divided into columns** that contain the cards (issues). A card can move **freely** from one column to another.
To illustrate how this could be useful, let's say we have three columns: `TO DO`, `DOING` and `DONE`.
When you create an issue you initially put it in the `TO DO` column. After someone has started working on it, they put the issue in the `DOING` column. Finally, when the issue is resolved, it is put in the `DONE` column.
Of course, the name, quantity and purpose of different columns **depend on the project's organisation**.
Adding and removing columns can be done from the `Columns` tab in the `Board settings` menu (three dots on the top right of a board).
### Adding more boards to a project
[](#adding-more-boards-to-a-project)
You can also add to a project as many [**Scrum**](./scrum.html) and [**Kanban**](./kanban.html) templated boards as you want.
This can be done, either while in a board, from **clicking the three dots and choosing `Create board`**
or **in the sidebar, from the `Board` menu**.
After that, you are met with the `Create a board` window, where you can choose your template.
Once you've made your choice, you will be met with three options:
- **Board created with new Software project** - creates a new project with a new board (has the name of the project).
- **Board from existing project** - creates a board that gets the filter from another project
- **Board from an existing Saved Filter** - as it says, you add to the project (indicated in the `Location` field) a board based on a saved filter
## Backlog
[](#backlog)
**The backlog is a place for issues that outline a general task/feature**.
Depending on your project template, the backlog will either be a **separate window ([Scrum](./scrum.html))**,
**just a column in a board ([Kanban](./kanban.html))**,
or **nonexistent ([bug tracking](./bug.md))**.
The purpose of the backlog depends on the template and it is described in the page of each template.
## Add item
[](#add-item)
**You can also add some resources to the sidebar of your project** for everyone to use. That is done through the `Add Item` menu.
From here you can **add a website shortcut**, simply by putting the web address and giving it a name.
The name is used for showing the shortcut on the sidebar.
You can also add a `Bitbucket` or `GitHub` repository which you can **leave** only as a **shortcut**, or you can **integrate** it so that **issues are transferred to Jira**.
**Integration won't be covered in this tutorial**, but I can recommend [this](https://www.idalko.com/jira-github-integration/) article for `GitHub` integration and [this](https://www.idalko.com/jira-bitbucket-integration/) one for `Bitbucket` integration.
From the `Add Item` menu you can also **toggle the shortcut to [Pages](./pages.html)**.