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# Create a service group

When you create a service group, you define the following properties:

**Name (Required)**

* Must be unique within each gateway cluster
* Choose descriptive names that clearly indicate the group's purpose
* Examples: "Database Services", "Dev Team Tools", "Production APIs"

**Description (Optional)**

* Provide context about the group's purpose
* Include usage guidelines or restrictions
* Document any special considerations

**User Groups (Required)**

* Select which user groups can access services in this service group
* Grant only necessary access
* Review and update permissions regularly

**Services (Optional)**

* Add relevant services to the group
* Services can belong to multiple service groups if needed
* Use the default service group as a reference for available services

## Prerequisites

Before creating a service group, ensure you have completed the following:

* Created a gateway cluster in Gateway Manager to represent you Gateway deployment
* Identified who needs access to which services and how services relate to business processes

## Create a service group

Navigate to Itential Platform.

Select **Gateway Manager** from the **Administration** collection in the left-side navigation menu.

Navigate to the **Gateways** tab in Gateway Manager.

From the list of gateway clusters, select the gateway where you want to add a service group to.

Navigate to the **Service Groups** tab on the gateway cluster details page and select **+ Create Service Group**.

Enter a descriptive name for **Service Group Name**.

(Optional) Enter a description for **Description**.

(Optional) Select the services you want to include in this group from the list on the right.

If you haven't created the services for this group yet, you can add the services later.

Under **Access**, add at least one authorization group to the service group. Users in this group can access and use all services assigned to this group.

Click **Save** to create the service group.

## Best practices

### Plan your service group strategy

**Organize by function**
Group services based on their business function or technical purpose:

* Database services
* API integrations
* Monitoring tools
* Security services

**Organize by team or department**
Align service groups with your organizational structure:

* Development team services
* Operations team services
* Quality assurance services
* Business analyst tools

**Organize by environment**
Separate services based on deployment environments:

* Production services
* Development and testing services
* Sandbox services