> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cortex.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cortex.io/ingesting-data-into-cortex/catalogs/managing-catalogs.md).

# Managing catalogs

This article covers how Cortex assigns entities to catalogs automatically, plus how to create, edit, delete, and track changes to your own catalogs.

## Adding an entity to a catalog

After Cortex imports or creates an entity, it automatically assigns the entity to a catalog based on that catalog's entity type criteria. When you [create a custom catalog](#creating-a-custom-catalog), you can define its entity type criteria.

Default catalogs come with preset entity type criteria:

* The **Services** catalog contains `service` entities.
* The **Domains** catalog contains `domain` entities.
* The **Teams** catalog contains `team` entities.
* The **Infrastructure** catalog contains any entity that isn't type `service`, `domain`, or `team`.

[Custom entity types](/ingesting-data-into-cortex/entities-overview/entities/adding-entities/entity-types.md) belong to the **Infrastructure** catalog by default. To move a custom entity type to a different catalog, add it there directly.

## Creating a custom catalog

Users with the `Edit Catalogs` permission can create, edit, or delete catalogs

You can create catalogs in the Cortex UI. For each catalog, you set the criteria that determine which entities belong to it. You can also define custom entity types to categorize the entities in your catalogs.

Because catalogs aren't defined by a YAML file, you can't create them through a GitOps workflow.

**To create a new catalog**:

1. From the main sidebar, expand **Catalogs**, then select **All catalogs**.
2. In the upper-right corner, click **Create catalog**.
3. On the **Create new catalog** page, do the following:
   1. In the **Details** section:
      1. Under **Catalog name**, enter a new name for the catalog (required).
      2. Under D**escription**, enter an overview of the catalog.
      3. Under **URL**, enter a custom URL for the catalog. By default, the URL matches the catalog name. If the URL is updated, the latest URL will be activated immediately, and any previous URL navigates to the catalog list page as a fallback.
         * **Example** - For a catalog named "ML Models", the auto-generated slug might be `ml-models`, resulting in a URL like: `https://app.getcortexapp.com/admin/catalog/ml-models` . You could customize the slug to something like `machine-learning`, giving you: `https://app.getcortexapp.com/admin/catalog/machine-learning`.
      4. Under **Display icon**, select an icon to represent the catalog.
   2. In the **Catalog filter** section:
      1. From the **Entity type** tab, select one or more entity types to include their respective entities in the catalog. You can select entity types manually, or use advanced options like a `CQL` expression. Every entity that matches the criteria you set here is automatically included. Choose one filter type: entity type or relationship type.
         * Optionally, expand **Advanced options** to refine entity selection by applying additional filters for groups or a `CQL` expression. You can also skip other filters entirely and use a `CQL` expression alone to define the entity type selection.
      2. From the **Relationship type** tab, select a relationship type to filter which entities appear on the catalog page.
4. By default, **Draft** is toggled on. If you're ready to publish your changes, toggle it off.
5. Click **Create**.

New catalogs are found under **Catalogs > All catalogs**, automatically populated with entities that match your criteria. Catalogs with a relationship type filter display as a hierarchy.

## Editing a catalog

Users with the `Edit Catalogs` permission can edit a catalog's name, description, URL, display icon, and filter type.

1. From the main sidebar, expand **Catalogs**, then select the catalog you want to edit.
2. In the upper-right corner, click **Edit catalog**. The **Edit catalog** page opens.
3. Refer to step 3 in [Creating a custom catalog](#creating-a-custom-catalog) for detailed information.
4. Optionally, toggle on **Draft** to save your changes without publishing them.
   * When you're ready to publish, toggle off **Draft**, then click **Save**.
5. Click **Save**.

## Deleting a catalog

Users with the `Edit Catalogs` permission can delete a catalog.

{% hint style="warning" %}
You should only delete a catalog if you're absolutely sure it's no longer needed. Deleting a catalog does NOT delete the entities in that catalog.
{% endhint %}

1. From the main sidebar, expand **Catalogs**, then select the catalog you want to delete.
2. In the upper-right corner, click **overview menu icon**.
3. Select **Delete catalog**. The **Delete catalog** window opens.
4. Click **Delete**.

## Tracking catalog changes

Use the [audit log](/configure/settings/audit-logs.md) to track changes made to any of your catalogs. Catalog updates are listed as `CATALOG` in the **Object type** column. The **Action type** column indicates whether a catalog was created, deleted, or updated.