> 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/internal-developer-portal/new-to-idp/get-started/step-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started.md).

# Step 2: Set up Software Catalog

{% @harness-package-selector/package-selector platforms="%5B%7B%22label%22%3A%22Step%201%3A%20Configure%20Git%20Integrations%22%2C%22slug%22%3A%22step-1-configure-git-integrations%22%2C%22path%22%3A%22internal-developer-portal%2Fnew-to-idp%2Fget-started%2Fstep-1-configure-git-integrations-get-started%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Step%202%3A%20Set%20up%20Software%20Catalog%22%2C%22slug%22%3A%22step-2-set-up-software-catalog%22%2C%22path%22%3A%22internal-developer-portal%2Fnew-to-idp%2Fget-started%2Fstep-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Step%203%3A%20Create%20Self-Service%20Workflows%22%2C%22slug%22%3A%22step-3-create-self-service-workflows%22%2C%22path%22%3A%22internal-developer-portal%2Fnew-to-idp%2Fget-started%2Fstep-3-create-self-service-workflows-get-started%22%7D%5D" selectedPlatform="step-2-set-up-software-catalog" %}

The **Software Catalog** is a centralized registry of all your software assets, including components, services, websites, libraries, data pipelines, and more. Think of it as a curated directory of your **entities**, helping you efficiently track ownership, metadata, and dependencies across your software ecosystem.

This guide walks you through the detailed steps to setup Catalog in IDP 2.0 and explains how to navigate the Catalog by creating and managing entities.

***

### Before you begin <a href="#before-you-begin" id="before-you-begin"></a>

Before using the Software Catalog in IDP 2.0, ensure:

* You have reviewed the [**IDP 2.0 Overview**](https://github.com/iKettles/harness-gitbook/tree/main/docs/internal-developer-portal/idp-2o-overview/2-0-overview-and-upgrade-path/README.md) and [**Upgrading to IDP 2.0**](https://github.com/iKettles/harness-gitbook/tree/main/docs/internal-developer-portal/idp-2o-overview/migrating-idp-2o/README.md) guide.
* **IDP 2.0** is enabled behind the `IDP_2_0` Feature Flag. Contact [Harness Support](https://support.harness.io) to enable it on your account.
* You are familiar with the [**Catalog Data Model**](/internal-developer-portal/use-idp/software-catalog/data-model/data-model.md) and [**Catalog YAML**](/internal-developer-portal/use-idp/software-catalog/catalog-yaml.md) structure.

***

### Populate your catalog <a href="#populate-your-catalog" id="populate-your-catalog"></a>

Once you have enabled the IDP module, there are three ways to populate your Software Catalog in IDP 2.0:

{% @harness-package-selector/package-selector platforms="%5B%7B%22label%22%3A%22Create%20Manually%22%2C%22slug%22%3A%22create-manually%22%2C%22path%22%3A%22internal-developer-portal%2Fnew-to-idp%2Fget-started%2Fstep-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started%2Fcreate-manually-step-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Auto-Discovery%22%2C%22slug%22%3A%22auto-discovery%22%2C%22path%22%3A%22internal-developer-portal%2Fnew-to-idp%2Fget-started%2Fstep-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started%2Fauto-discovery-step-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Import%20from%20Git%22%2C%22slug%22%3A%22import-from-git%22%2C%22path%22%3A%22internal-developer-portal%2Fnew-to-idp%2Fget-started%2Fstep-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started%2Fimport-from-git-step-2-set-up-software-catalog-get-started%22%7D%5D" %}

### Next steps <a href="#next-steps" id="next-steps"></a>

Now that you have created your first entity, explore these next steps:

* [Create Workflows](/internal-developer-portal/new-to-idp/get-started.md) to automate common development tasks.
* [Configure Plugins](/internal-developer-portal/use-idp/plugins/overview.md) to enhance your entities with additional capabilities.
* [Set up Scorecards](/internal-developer-portal/use-idp/scorecards/scorecard.md) to track entity quality and compliance.
* [Enable TechDocs](/internal-developer-portal/use-idp/software-catalog/integrate-tools/techdocs/enable-docs.md) to publish documentation alongside your entities.