> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.usebruno.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a Collection

A collection in Bruno is a structured group of API requests, tests, and related resources that helps you organize and manage your API testing workflow.

<Info>
  If you have an existing collection inside of another tool that you would like to import, please see [Importing Collections <strong><sup>↗</sup></strong>](../import-export-data/import-collections).
</Info>

## How to Create a Collection

1. Open Bruno and navigate to the **home screen**
2. Click on the `+` button and select **Create Collection** from the dropdown.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/bruno-a6972042/K-YsMv4Crp6p2uFR/images/screenshots/get-started/bruno-basics/create-collection/create-collection.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=K-YsMv4Crp6p2uFR&q=85&s=799aabfb6848649691a859c008885ae3" alt="Create collection" width="2480" height="1046" data-path="images/screenshots/get-started/bruno-basics/create-collection/create-collection.webp" />

3. Enter a name for your collection.
4. **(Optional)**:
   * To store the collection at a custom location: click the **settings icon** (advanced options) and choose the desired folder on your system.
   * Click on **Options** dropdown and select **YAML** to change the file format to YAML or BRU -> YAML recommended.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/bruno-a6972042/rDiYRR3o6yKYWyZH/images/screenshots/get-started/bruno-basics/create-collection/advanced-options.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=rDiYRR3o6yKYWyZH&q=85&s=13cdb7c7e0a520b2a5f56f1162ddd2a6" alt="Advanced options – choose location" width="2530" height="914" data-path="images/screenshots/get-started/bruno-basics/create-collection/advanced-options.webp" />

<Info>
  If you skip this, the collection is stored at the default location: `~/Documents/bruno` (e.g. `/Users/username/Documents/bruno`). You can view or change the default location in **Preferences** → **General** tab. See [Settings](/get-started/configure/settings#general).
</Info>

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/bruno-a6972042/RWyLFP6V92jRERwX/images/screenshots/get-started/bruno-basics/create-collection/select-file-format.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=RWyLFP6V92jRERwX&q=85&s=3eb7fe861dfd6b74410ddf43dd7a889d" alt="select file format" width="2590" height="1430" data-path="images/screenshots/get-started/bruno-basics/create-collection/select-file-format.webp" />

5. Choose or confirm the location on your filesystem for the collection.

6. Click **Create**

<Info>
  Starting with Bruno v3.1.0, YAML (OpenCollection format) is the default file format when creating new collections. Learn more about [OpenCollection YAML](/opencollection-yaml/overview).
</Info>

## Automatic Git Configuration

When you create a new collection or workspace, Bruno automatically generates a `.gitignore` file with recommended settings to ensure proper Git hygiene out of the box.

**What's Included in `.gitignore`:**

* Temporary files and caches
* Environment variable files with sensitive data
* Generated metadata
* System-specific files

<Tip>
  The automatically generated `.gitignore` file helps prevent accidentally committing sensitive information (like API keys in environment variables) or unnecessary files to version control.
</Tip>

## Custom Collection Names

You can use any characters in your collection names, including special characters like `/`, `[`, `]`, `*`, etc. Bruno automatically handles filesystem compatibility by replacing unsupported characters with `-` in the filenames while preserving your original collection name.

[Add a request <strong><sup>↗</sup></strong>](https://docs.usebruno.com/get-started/bruno-basics/create-a-request) to your collection as a next step!

<Warning>
  If you're looking to collaborate and share with your team, please see [Collaboration in Bruno <strong><sup>↗</sup></strong>](https://docs.usebruno.com/git-integration/overview).
</Warning>