> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.harness.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.harness.io/artifact-registry/3.0/use-artifact-registry/manage-registries/create-registry.md).

# Create an Artifact Registry

An **Artifact Registry** is a central location for storing and managing software artifacts, such as container images or Helm charts used throughout the software development lifecycle.

{% hint style="info" %}
**REGISTRY SCOPE LEVELS**

Artifact registries can be created at **Account**, **Organization**, or **Project** level. Navigate to the desired scope level in Harness before creating the registry to control its accessibility across your organizational structure.
{% endhint %}

To create an artifact registry, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the desired scope level (Account, Organization, or Project) where you want to create the registry.
2. Select **+ New Artifact Registry** under the **Registries** tab.
3. Select a [registry type](/artifact-registry/3.0/troubleshooting-and-resources/whats-supported.md#supported-registry-types).
4. Enter a **Registry Name** and optional **Description** and **Labels**.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>This registry name must start with a letter and can only contain lowercase alphanumerics, <code>_</code>, <code>.</code> and <code>-</code></p></div>
5. Select Visibility between **Private** and **Public**. This will determine if the registry is accessible to all users or not.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>Public registries allow anyone to view repository contents and pull images. Private registries restrict both visibility and image pulls to users or service accounts with the required permissions or tokens.</p></div>

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p><strong>FEATURE FLAG REQUIREMENT</strong></p><p>Public registry visibility is gated by the <code>PL_ALLOW_TO_SET_PUBLIC_ACCESS</code> feature flag. The same flag controls both creating a new public registry and switching an existing registry's visibility from Private to Public. If the <strong>Public</strong> option is missing on the Create Registry form (or on the visibility control of an existing registry), the flag is not enabled for your account.</p><p>To enable public registry visibility:</p><ol><li>Contact <a href="mailto:support@harness.io">Harness Support</a> to activate the <code>PL_ALLOW_TO_SET_PUBLIC_ACCESS</code> feature flag for your account.</li><li>In your Harness account, go to <strong>Account Settings > Authentication</strong> and turn on <strong>Allow public resources</strong>.</li></ol><p>Both steps are required. Go to <a href="/spaces/GmEmgYs6IUcqNiV0OEgB/pages/gEbGDtykbbSqVJbMFbql#change-registry-visibility">Change registry visibility</a> to switch an existing registry between Private and Public after the flag is enabled.</p></div>
6. Select **Create Registry**.

> **Next steps:** To know about creating an upstream proxy, go to [Create an upstream proxy](/artifact-registry/use-artifact-registry/manage-registries/upstream-proxy.md).