> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/categories/creating-category.md).

# Creating Category

Learn how to create and configure a contest category in NorrCompetition.

To create a new category, navigate to **Components > NorrCompetition > Categories** and click the **New** toolbar button. The category edit form opens:

<figure><img src="https://norrnext.com/images/docs/norrcompetition/categories/category_edit.png" alt="Category Edit Form - NorrCompetition"><figcaption><p>Category Edit Form</p></figcaption></figure>

### 1. Category Details

* **Title** – title of the category (required).
* **Alias** – URL slug generated automatically from the title.
* **Description** – rich text overview of the category using the WYSIWYG editor.

#### Right Sidebar Parameters

* **Parent Category** – select a parent to nest under (NorrCompetition supports directory rendering up to 3 levels deep).
* **Status** – publication state (*Published*, *Unpublished*, *Archived*, or *Trashed*).
* **Access** – viewing access level group (*Public*, *Registered*, *Special*, etc.).
* **Language** – language assignment (*All* or specific content language).
* **Tags** – assign Joomla tags to the category.
* **Note** – internal administrator note.

### 2. Publishing Options

* **Created Date** – creation timestamp (UTC).
* **Created By** – author account assigned to the category.
* **Metadata Options** – Meta Description, Keywords, Author tag, and Robots directives (*Use Global*, *Index, Follow*, *Noindex, Follow*, etc.).

### 3. Associations

In multilingual Joomla installations, link translated versions of this category across different content languages.

### 4. Permissions

Configure category-level Joomla ACL permissions (*Create*, *Delete*, *Edit*, *Edit State*, *Edit Own*). See [Configuration - Permissions](/norrcompetition/configuration/permissions.md).

### 5. Options

* **Image** – upload or select a banner image for the category.
* **Alternative Layout** – choose an alternative template layout override if available.

### 6. Layout Options

Override global contest grid display, subcategory headers, pagination limits, and status/type filters for this specific category. See [Category Layout Options](/norrcompetition/categories/category-layout-options.md).