---
title: Creating a Plugin Project
redirect_from:
  - /basics/getting_started/creating_an_action.html
---
<!-- Copyright 2000-2020 JetBrains s.r.o. and other contributors. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license that can be found in the LICENSE file. -->

> **NOTE** For new projects, it is highly recommended to use [Gradle](/tutorials/build_system.md).

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](img/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](img/intellij_platform_plugin_module.png)
  <br/>
  <br/>
* 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](img/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](/tutorials/action_system/working_with_custom_actions.md) tutorial for step-by-step instructions for adding a menu action.