[//]: # (title: Creating a Plugin Project)

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 >  For new projects, it is highly recommended to use [Gradle](gradle_build_system.md).
 >
 {type="note"}

This section explains how you can create a new plugin project from scratch using the New Project wizard.
Optionally, you can import an existing project or import a project from external models.
You can also add a new plugin module to a current IntelliJ Platform project.
For more information, refer to the [IntelliJ IDEA Web Help](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/help/new-project-wizard.html).

### To Create an IntelliJ Platform Plugin Project:

* On the main menu, choose **File \| New \| Project**.
  The *New Project* wizard starts.
  ![New Project Wizard](new_project_wizard.png)
* Set *IntelliJ Platform Plugin* project type.
* Click **Next**.
* Set the desired project name.
* Click **Finish** to generate project structure files.
* Go to **File \| Project Structure** to customize project settings if required.

### To Create an IntelliJ Platform Plugin Module
* Select **File \| New \| Module** and choose the *IntelliJ Platform Plugin* module type
  ![IntelliJ Platform Plugin Module](intellij_platform_plugin_module.png)
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* Enter your desired plugin name.
* Go to **File \| Project Structure** and select the newly created *IntelliJ Platform SDK* as the default SDK for the plugin module:
  ![Set Plugin Module SDK](set_plugin_module_sdk.png)

### Adding Code to the Project
Before running the new project, add some code to provide simple functionality.
See the [Creating Actions](working_with_custom_actions.md) tutorial for step-by-step instructions for adding a menu action.