---
url: /courses/add-a-course.md
description: >-
  Create a course in RootWright LMS from the admin: enter the title and
  description, set the level, duration and format, save, then build the
  curriculum and publish.
---

# How to add a course in RootWright LMS

To add a course in RootWright LMS, go to **RootWright LMS → Courses**, click **Add a course**, enter a course title and description, and click **Save & continue**. The other sections unlock after the first save. Build the curriculum, then click **Publish**.

## Before you start

* You need the **administrator** role, or an instructor role with permission to manage your own courses.
* Have a title and a short description ready. Categories and tags are optional and can be added later.

## Add the course details

::: steps

1. Go to **RootWright LMS → Courses** and click **Add a course**.
2. In **Course Title**, enter the name students will see.
3. In **Course Description**, write what the course covers. The editor is block-based: press **/** to add a block such as a heading or a list.
4. In **Short description**, write a summary of 120 to 160 words for catalog cards and search results.
5. Under **Classification**, set **Course Level** (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced), **Duration** (free text, for example "4 hours") and **Format** (Online, Offline, Hybrid, Workshop or Seminar).
6. Click **Save & continue**.
   :::

![The Details section with the classification fields filled in](/images/courses/add-a-course-03-classification.jpg)

*The Classification fields after saving. Duration is free text.*

## What the other sections are for

After the first save, the left menu shows the sections you will use next:

* **Curriculum** to add modules and lessons. See [Course builder](/courses/course-builder).
* **Skill map** to link the course to skills.
* **Pricing & Access** to set a price, a discount, an enrollment cap and an open or close date. See [Course settings and access](/courses/course-settings).
* **Instructors** to add co-teachers.
* **Certificate** to choose the certificate students earn.

## Publish or save a draft

Click **Save draft** to keep the course hidden while you work. Click **Publish** when the course is ready. The button changes to **Update** after the first publish, and the status badge reads **Published**.

::: info
A new course starts as a draft with the status **Unpublished**. The status badge in the top bar shows whether the course is live.
:::

## Troubleshooting

* **Curriculum, Pricing and other sections are greyed out.** Save the course first. The message reads "Save the course first to unlock Curriculum, Pricing and the other sections."
* **The category list is empty.** Create a category first at **Teaching → Categories & tags**.

## Related

* [Marketing, listing and learning options](/courses/course-details-options)
* [Course builder](/courses/course-builder)