# Create a program

> PositiveForm guide · Programs and schedules · PROG-001
> Canonical page: https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/create-program/
> This Markdown: https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/create-program.md

**Summary:** Create a reusable program and open its operational workspace. The inactive program is created at a stable program route with clear setup actions.  
**Who can do this:** Organization owners, Managers, Staff  
**Required access:** `members.change`  
**Where in PositiveForm:** `/programs`  
**Status:** Verified on 2026-07-29 against PositiveForm build `40f78fa`.

## Who this is for

This guide is for **desk staff, managers, and owners** setting up a class,
course, or camp.

The page states the order it expects: create the offering first, then configure
its people and schedule when ready. You are not asked for everything at once,
and a program with no schedule and no roster is a normal state to leave it in.

You need the `members.change` permission.

## Before you begin

- Select the location the program runs at, using the picker at the top of the
  console. A program belongs to a location, and creating one without a location
  selected is refused.
- Have a name families will recognise. Everything else can wait.

## Steps

1. Click **Programs** in the left navigation. The list shows each program with
   its **Location**, **Status**, **Members**, **Schedule**, **Progression**, and
   an **Actions** menu.
2. Click **Create program**. **Create a program** opens.
3. Fill in **Program name**.
4. Use **Description (optional)** if it helps staff tell similar programs apart.
5. Save it.

## Expected outcome

The program is created at the selected location and opens at its own stable
route, which is what you can bookmark or send to a colleague.

It starts with nothing configured, and the workspace says so rather than hiding
it: **Next meetings** is empty until a schedule exists, **Action items** offers
**Assign staff** and **Enroll member**, and **Pricing** reads **No plans yet.**

In the programs list it shows **Not scheduled** with **No program dates** until
you add class times. That is accurate rather than a warning.

Continue in [Manage program schedules](https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/manage-program-schedule/) to give it class times, or
[Manage program lifecycle](https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/manage-program-lifecycle/) to set its status, dates, and
progression.

## Screenshots

![The Programs list, with Create program and the Location, Status, Members, Schedule, and Progression columns](https://positiveform.com/guides/media/PROG-001/20260729T041000Z/001-programs-list.webp)

## Recovery

If saving is refused with **A program name and location are required.**, either
the name is blank or no location is selected. The location comes from the picker
at the top of the console rather than from the dialog, which is the part people
miss.

If the program was created with the wrong name, rename it on its **Settings**
tab; see [Manage program lifecycle](https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/manage-program-lifecycle/). Do not create a second one.

If you meant to copy an existing program rather than start fresh, duplicating is
faster and carries the schedule, staff, and tags across; see
[Duplicate a program](https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/duplicate-program/).

## Related guides

- [Manage program schedules](https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/manage-program-schedule/) — give the program its class times.
- [Manage program lifecycle](https://positiveform.com/guides/programs/manage-program-lifecycle/) — set its status, start and end dates,
  and advancement progression.

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Source: PositiveForm customer guides, https://positiveform.com/guides/. 
Every guide as one file for AI assistants: https://positiveform.com/llms-full.txt. 
Guide index: https://positiveform.com/llms.txt.