--- id: 29 revision: '0' language: en title: Create a Status Community --- :::info Currently, you can only create and administer communities using the Status desktop app. [Download Status desktop :octicons-desktop-download-16:](https://status.im/get) ::: A [Status Community](./about-status-communities.md) is a place where you can connect and communicate with people who share your interests. Communities are ideal for those with a passion or hobby, study groups, gaming communities, professional network groups, or creators looking to generate income from their content without intermediaries. As a community owner, you can create open communities or [restrict community access using tokens](./set-up-a-private-community.md), control [membership approval](../set-up-your-community-s-approval-options.md) and organize discussion groups in [channels](./create-a-channel.md). Owners have complete control over their community and are responsible for maintaining its rules. ## Create a community === "Desktop" 1. From the navigation sidebar, click :desktop-communities: **Communities**. 1. On top of the content area, click **Create community**. 1. Add a **name** and a **short description** of your community. 1. Optionally, add a **logo**, **banner**, **colour** palette and **tags**. You can [customize these settings](#customize-your-community) at any time. 1. Configure [additional community settings](#configure-additional-settings). 1. Click **Next** to complete the [information about your community](#describe-your-community-and-its-rules). 1. Click **Create community**. ## Configure additional settings You can configure these community settings: | Setting | Description | | :------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Community history service** | Status Communities store up to 30 days of chat history by default. When this option is checked, community members can see messages older than 30 days. | | **Request to join required** | Community owners must manually approve each join request if this setting is checked. This option applies to [open and private](./about-status-communities.md) communities. | | **Any member can pin a message** | Any community member can [pin messages](../messaging-and-web3-browser/pin-a-message.md) when this setting is checked. If the setting is unchecked, only the community owner can pin messages. | :::info The Community history service uses the [BitTorrent peer-to-peer network :octicons-tab-external-16:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent) to store and retrieve community messages older than 30 days. Status uses a decentralized network and does not store this information. ::: ## Describe your community and its rules === "Desktop" 1. In the **Community introduction and rules**, introduce your community to new members and describe the community guidelines. 1. In the **Leaving community message**, write the message sent to members leaving your community. 1. Click **Create community** if you haven't already. ## Customize your community After you create a community, you can customize its settings at any time. === "Desktop" 1. From the navigation sidebar, click your community. 1. On top of the channel sidebar, click your community logo. 1. Click :desktop-overview: **Overview**. 1. Expand the window and click **Edit Community**. 1. Edit your community look-and-feel, [additional settings](#configure-additional-settings) or [community rules](#describe-your-community-and-its-rules). 1. Click **Save changes**.