> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.acpt.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.acpt.io/custom-content-types/getting-started.md).

# Getting started

Activate Custom Content Types and create your first table.

## Prerequisites

Before you can use Custom Content Types you need:

* ACPT **2.1.0** or later
* A **valid ACPT license** activated on this site
* MySQL 5.6+ (already required by ACPT)

## Step 1 — Enable CCT in Settings

1. Go to **ACPT → Settings**.
2. Open the **Content settings** tab.
3. Toggle **Enable Custom Content Types** on.
4. Save settings.

<figure><img src="https://3235524095-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fiyf0tSKPgXiyoQ3zV3I6%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b19afe1b7d7157672fc85fad7db422be35637a9e%2Fcct-enable-setting.png?alt=media" alt="Enable CCT in ACPT Settings"><figcaption><p>Enable CCT in ACPT → Settings → Content settings</p></figcaption></figure>

Once enabled, a **Custom Content Types** menu item appears in the ACPT navigation.

## Step 2 — Create a Table Group

A Table Group defines *where* your tables are displayed and with what layout.

1. Navigate to **ACPT → Custom Content Types → Table Groups**.
2. Click **Register Table Group**.
3. Fill in the **Name** and **Label**.
4. Choose a **Display mode** (e.g. Standard).
5. Set **Location rules** to define which post type, taxonomy, user, or option page should surface this group.
6. Click **Save**.

See [Table Groups](/custom-content-types/table-groups.md) for all options.

## Step 3 — Create a Table

1. Navigate to **ACPT → Custom Content Types** (the main CCT list).
2. Click **Register Table**.
3. Complete the four-step wizard:
   * **General** — name, label, ID strategy, and group assignment
   * **Columns** — add and configure columns using the Canvas UI
   * **Indexes** — optionally add database indexes
   * **Foreign Keys** — optionally add relational constraints
4. Click **Save** on the final step.

ACPT creates the database table automatically when you save.

## Step 4 — Add records

Once a table is created and attached to a Table Group, a record form appears in the admin wherever the location rules match.

You can also:

* Create records manually from **ACPT → Custom Content Types → \[table name] → Create record**
* Create records via the [REST API](/developers/rest-api.md)

## What's next

* [Table Groups](/custom-content-types/table-groups.md) — configure location rules and display options
* [Tables](/custom-content-types/tables.md) — learn all table settings and ID strategies
* [Columns](/custom-content-types/columns.md) — all column types and their configuration
* [Relational fields](/custom-content-types/relational-fields.md) — link records across tables