> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.protoboard.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.protoboard.xyz/start-here/projects-boards-and-parts.md).
# Projects, boards and parts
How projects, boards and parts relate in Protoboard, and how access and visibility flow from a project to its boards
## Goal
Understand the three building blocks of Protoboard so that sharing, visibility and saving behave the way you expect.
## The short version
* A **board** is one system design: parts on a canvas, harnesses between them, a bill of materials (BOM), and DRC results.
* A **project** is a folder of boards. Access you give on a project applies to every board in it, including boards added later.
* A **part** is a real component placed on a board. Its definition (the **part template**) comes from the open ProtoPart library or is one you made.
```mermaid
flowchart LR
A["Your account"] --> P1["Project: Line-Following Robot roles: Owner, Editor, Viewer"]
A --> B0["Board without a project"]
P1 --> B1["Board: Main controller"]
P1 --> B2["Board: Sensor test rig"]
B1 --> X["Parts, harnesses, groups, notes DRC, BOM, version history"]
T["Teammate"] -. "invited to project (sees every board)" .-> P1
V["Anyone with the link"] -. "view-only board link" .-> B2
```
## Boards
A board holds one system. Everything you design lives on the board:
| On the board | What it is |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Parts** | Components placed on the canvas, each with a nickname and a template |
| **Harnesses** | Connections between two parts, carrying an interface link and its function links |
| **Groups and notes** | Coloured frames and sticky notes that organize the canvas |
| **Board Identity** | Description, tags, requirements, tasks and kit restrictions |
| **Review comments** | Notes from you, teammates or ProtoBot in Board Review |
| **BOM** | Quantities, suppliers and prices for every part |
| **Version history** | Automatic snapshots you can restore |
Boards save to the cloud when you're signed in. A board you create while signed out, or one you import from a file, starts as a local **draft** in your browser until you save it to the cloud. See [Saving, drafts and recovery](/organize/saving-and-drafts.md).
A project page with three boards.
## Projects
A project groups boards and carries their access:
* A board belongs to **one project or none**. Move it with **Move to project** on its card.
* People you invite to a project get that role on **every board** in it. A board's share dialog shows these people as "via" the project.
* You can still share a single board on its own. That person sees only that board.
* Deleting a project doesn't delete its boards. They become boards without a project.
See [Projects](/organize/projects.md) and [Roles and access](/collaborate/roles-and-access.md).
## Visibility
Every project and board is **public** or **private**.
| | Public | Private |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Who can view | Anyone with the link; listed in Community | Only people with access, or with a view link |
| Who can edit | Only people with Editor or Owner access | Same |
| Limit | Unlimited | Free accounts: 2 private boards |
A board can't be more public than its project: making a project private makes all its boards private. See [Public, private and view links](/collaborate/visibility-and-links.md).
## Editing
One person edits a board at a time. Everyone else sees the board in **Viewing** mode, which is read only, until they click **Start editing** or **Request control**. See [Edit control](/collaborate/edit-control.md).
## Parts and templates
When you add a part from the Parts Bin, Protoboard copies its definition into the board as a **part template**. Every instance of that part on the board shares the template, so a fix to the template updates them all. A template defines the part's **interfaces** (what it can connect with), **functions** (the individual signals) and **resources** (the physical pins and ports). See [Part status](/parts/part-status.md) and [Edit part templates](/parts/edit-part-templates.md).
## Common failures
A teammate can't see a board I made
The board isn't in the project you shared, or it's in no project. Move it into the shared project, or share the board on its own.
I can't make a board public
Its project is private. Make the project public first, or move the board to a public project.
## Related pages
* [Quickstart](/start-here/quickstart-10-minutes.md): create your first project and board
* [Projects](/organize/projects.md): create, rename, archive and delete
* [Roles and access](/collaborate/roles-and-access.md): who can view, edit and manage
* [Glossary](/reference/glossary.md): every term in one place
