> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xloud.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an Object Storage Container

> Provision object storage containers in Xloud Object Storage using the Dashboard or CLI. Configure container name, access policy, and storage policy.

## Overview

Containers (buckets) are the top-level namespaces within your object storage account.
All objects must reside in a container. Container names must be unique within your
account, and the storage policy assigned at creation time cannot be changed afterward.

<Note>
  **Prerequisites**

  * An active Xloud account with appropriate permissions
  * Access to the **Xloud Dashboard** or CLI configured with credentials
  * API credentials sourced (`source openrc.sh`)
</Note>

***

## Create a Container

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dashboard" icon="gauge">
    <Steps titleSize="h3">
      <Step title="Navigate to Object Storage">
        Navigate to
        **Storage > Object Storage**.

        Click **Create Container** to open the creation dialog.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure container settings">
        | Field                | Description                                                     |
        | -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
        | **Container Name**   | Unique name within your account (e.g., `app-backups`)           |
        | **Container Access** | `Private` (default) or `Public` — public enables anonymous read |
        | **Storage Policy**   | Select the replication policy appropriate for the data tier     |

        <Warning>
          Setting container access to **Public** makes all objects in the container
          accessible to anyone with the storage endpoint URL — including external parties.
          Use public access only for intentionally public assets such as static web content.
        </Warning>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create the container">
        Click **Confirm**. The container appears in the list immediately.

        <Check>Container appears in the Containers list and is ready for object uploads.</Check>
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="CLI" icon="terminal">
    <Steps titleSize="h3">
      <Step title="Authenticate">
        ```bash title="Load credentials" theme={null}
        source openrc.sh
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create the container">
        ```bash title="Create a private container" theme={null}
        openstack container create app-backups
        ```

        ```bash title="Create with a specific storage policy" theme={null}
        openstack container create \
          --storage-policy <policy-name> \
          app-backups
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Verify creation">
        ```bash title="Show container metadata" theme={null}
        openstack container show app-backups
        ```

        <Check>Container shows `object_count: 0` and no error in metadata.</Check>
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Container Naming Rules

| Rule           | Detail                                                                    |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Uniqueness** | Must be unique within your account (project)                              |
| **Length**     | 1–256 characters                                                          |
| **Characters** | Any UTF-8 character except `/`                                            |
| **Case**       | Case-sensitive — `app-backups` and `App-Backups` are different containers |

***

## List and Manage Containers

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash title="List containers in your account" theme={null}
  openstack container list
  ```

  ```bash title="Show container metadata" theme={null}
  openstack container show app-backups
  ```

  ```bash title="Delete an empty container" theme={null}
  openstack container delete app-backups
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Danger>
  Containers with objects cannot be deleted until all objects are removed. Use
  `openstack object list app-backups` to view contents before deletion.
</Danger>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Upload Objects" href="/services/object-storage/upload-objects" color="#197560">
    Upload files and manage objects within your container
  </Card>

  <Card title="Access Control" href="/services/object-storage/access-control" color="#197560">
    Configure read and write ACLs for container access
  </Card>

  <Card title="Versioning" href="/services/object-storage/versioning" color="#197560">
    Enable version retention on your container
  </Card>

  <Card title="Storage Policies" href="/services/object-storage/storage-policies" color="#197560">
    Learn about storage policy options available on your platform
  </Card>
</CardGroup>