# Your first connected project (https://docs.getaviato.com/start-here)



## Before you start [#before-you-start]

You need an Aviato account, a database you are allowed to connect, and somewhere to run the Aviato agent. Start with a development database or a read-only database user while you explore.

## 1. Create a workspace and project [#1-create-a-workspace-and-project]

Open the [dashboard](https://app.getaviato.com), create a workspace, and create a project. A workspace holds your team and billing; a project represents one application. Each project has environments with separate connections and agent credentials.

Choose **Self-hosted** to run the agent in your own infrastructure. Copy the agent token when it is displayed. Store it as a deployment secret: it authenticates your agent to Aviato, and is not a token to give to browsers or MCP clients.

<Screenshot src="/screenshots/create-project.png" alt="New project form with Customer operations entered and Self-hosted selected" caption="Create a project inside your workspace. This example uses a fictional Northstar workspace and a local test database." />

## 2. Connect the database agent [#2-connect-the-database-agent]

Follow [agent setup](/integrations/agent). Configure the control-plane URL, token, database URL, and a public HTTPS URL reachable by your team's browsers.

Keep the agent's data directory on a persistent volume. It contains the audit outbox and recovery state.

## 3. Browse a collection [#3-browse-a-collection]

When the agent connects, open a collection in the project. Aviato discovers tables, fields, and database relations. Check a few records and confirm the environment before making changes.

<Screenshot src="/screenshots/collection-records.png" alt="Customers collection with names, emails, plans, search, and filters" caption="Once connected, the Customers collection shows live rows from the example database. Select a row to open its details." />

The [record guide](/guides/records) explains filters, editing, notes, and exports.

## 4. Invite your team [#4-invite-your-team]

Invite people from workspace settings and choose their role. Start with viewer access for people who only need to inspect data. Use [custom project roles](/administration/permissions) when access must be restricted by collection, field, or row.

## 5. Extend when needed [#5-extend-when-needed]

Database browsing works without an SDK. Add an SDK plugin for [business actions](/guides/actions), computed fields, hooks, or custom collections. Connect an [MCP client](/integrations/mcp) when you want an AI agent to work with the same data.