> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/journey-maps/how-to-create-a-journey-map.md).

# How to create a journey map

Go from nothing to a structured journey map in a few clicks. Create the map first, then pick how to fill it: let Smaply AI draft the whole thing from a sentence, start from a blank canvas, or open a template.

{% embed url="<https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2For99xDEElfps9uMDY60K%2Fuploads%2Fap6qGEVWVilK3KytVoBw%2FHow%20to%20create%20and%20edit%20a%20journey%20map.mp4?alt=media&token=188f95b4-4db3-412f-bcd3-92ced03ca8e0>" %}

{% hint style="warning" icon="list-check" %}

#### Prerequisites

You need the Editor or Admin role at the account or workspace level. Viewers cannot create journey maps.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" icon="tag" %}

#### Plan availability

Creating a journey map is available on all plans. The Free plan is capped at 10 maps total.

Smaply AI can generate up to 3 maps per month on Free, and is uncapped on Repository and above. It also depends on the account-level AI Features setting; if an Admin has turned AI off for the account, the option does not appear.

Your own saved templates require Repository. Built-in Smaply Templates are available on all plans.
{% endhint %}

#### How to start a new journey map

A new map starts the same way no matter how you plan to build it. Create the map, choose where it lives, and you land in the editor ready to fill it.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Click + New journey on the Dashboard**

In the quick-create row at the top of the Dashboard, click **+ New journey**.

<figure><img src="/files/o6OtpAAJw2fepMFYgZR9" alt="The Dashboard of a workspace. A quick-create row near the top shows three buttons: + New journey, + New persona, and + New metric."><figcaption><p>Dashboard quick-create row</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Choose where the map lives**

In the **New journey map** dialog, pick the **Account** and **Workspace** the map belongs to. Both default to the one you're working in, so if you only have one of each, this is a quick confirmation.

<figure><img src="/files/yQRF9TxKyYTTLLFzJXhm" alt="The New journey map dialog with the Workspace dropdown open, showing a list of workspaces to choose from. An Account dropdown sits above it."><figcaption><p>New journey map > choose Account and Workspace</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Click Create**

Smaply creates the map, shows a brief **Setting up your map** screen, and opens it in the editor. The map is auto-named with the date and time; rename it any time from the title in the editor's top bar.

<figure><img src="/files/0iVs4rH1frYAXS7R1HUw" alt="The Create your journey map start screen inside the editor. A prompt field with a Generate button sits below the heading, with Try chips beneath it, and a Templates row showing a Blank journey card and several template cards."><figcaption><p>The start screen in the editor for a brand-new map</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

#### Choose how to build your map

A brand-new map opens on the **Create your journey map** start screen. Pick one of three ways to build it:

* [**With Smaply AI**](#with-smaply-ai) - Describe the journey in a sentence and let AI draft the stages, steps, and content. Fastest when you don't have an existing model to work from.
* [**Blank journey**](#blank-journey) - Start from an empty canvas and build it lane by lane. Best when you have a clear plan or want full control.
* [**From a template**](#from-a-template) - Open a pre-built structure for a common scenario. Best when your situation matches a known pattern.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="With Smaply AI" %}
Smaply AI generates a complete first draft from a short description: a name, a structured description, color-coded stages with steps, and whichever extra lanes you ask for. Everything it produces is editable, so treat the result as a starting point you refine.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39-WxZLf004>" %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Describe the journey and click Generate**

Type a sentence describing the journey in the prompt field, then click **Generate**. To see the shape of a good prompt, click one of the **Try** chips (**B2C in-store return**, **B2B contract renewal**, or **Employee onboarding**).

<figure><img src="/files/IpP2TsLSe2TdiQthgJAJ" alt="The Create your journey map prompt field filled with a sentence describing a new customer opening an online savings account, with the Generate button enabled."><figcaption><p>Describe the journey, then Generate</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" icon="language" %}
Smaply AI understands several languages but generates in English by default. To get your draft in another language, add a line like "Generate the content in German" to the prompt.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Refine the name and description**

Smaply AI pre-fills a **Journey map name** and a structured **Journey map description** (User Goals, Business Goals, Journey Start, Journey End). Edit either freely. For a different angle, click **View** next to **Need inspiration?** to swap in another description style. Click **Generate journey steps** to continue.

<figure><img src="/files/iYs9lMdPJduJPbgiONyc" alt="Step 2 of the Smaply AI wizard, Refine your journey map name and description, showing an editable name field and a structured description with User Goals, Business Goals, Journey Start, and Journey End sections."><figcaption><p>Step 2 of 3, refine the name and description</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Customize the stages and steps**

Smaply AI lays out color-coded stages with steps. Rename stages and steps inline, reorder them, delete what you don't need, or add more with **+ Add step** and **+ Add stage**. The **Journey structure preview** on the right updates as you go.

Use the **Quick add journey content** toggles to control how much AI scaffolds: **Stages and steps**, **Step descriptions**, **Emotion chart**, **Storyboard images**, **Channels**, and **Satisfaction slider**. Click **Add to Journey Map** to build the map.

<figure><img src="/files/wiEm9TSYf4g2wX6aMiqU" alt="Step 3 of the Smaply AI wizard, Customize stages and steps. The left pane lists editable color-coded stages with their steps; the right pane shows a journey structure preview and a Quick add journey content section with toggles for Stages and steps, Step descriptions, Emotion chart, Storyboard images, Channels, and Satisfaction slider."><figcaption><p>Step 3 of 3, customize stages and choose what to populate</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

The generated map opens in the editor with the lanes you selected populated and ready to edit.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Blank journey" %}
On the start screen, click the **Blank journey** card in the **Templates** row.

The map opens as an empty canvas with a single **Stage** lane, ready for you to build out. Add the lanes, columns, and cards you need:

* [How to add and manage lanes](/journey-maps/lanes/how-to-add-and-manage-lanes.md)
* [How to add and manage columns](/journey-maps/lanes/how-to-add-and-manage-columns.md)
* [How to add and edit cards](/journey-maps/cards/how-to-add-and-edit-cards.md)
* [How to use stage cards](/journey-maps/cards/how-to-use-stage-cards.md)
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="From a template" %}
On the start screen, pick a template card from the **Templates** row. **Smaply Templates** are built-in and available on every plan; your own saved templates appear here too. The map opens with the template's structure already in place, ready to edit.

<figure><img src="/files/l2vKhP6gvcBuiZRyx3uc" alt="The Templates row on the start screen. The first card is Blank journey; the rest are templates, including a built-in Smaply Template and account-specific templates."><figcaption><p>The Templates row on the start screen</p></figcaption></figure>

The template cards you see are specific to your account. To save a map you've built as a reusable template, see [How to create and use templates](/account-and-team/customization/how-to-create-and-use-templates.md).
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

#### Related topics

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Description</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Target</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How to add and manage lanes</strong></td><td>Add, rename, reorder, pin, and delete the rows of your map.</td><td><a href="/pages/cEW7pumNPGKdJ65EEAz7">/pages/cEW7pumNPGKdJ65EEAz7</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to add and edit cards</strong></td><td>Add cards, edit them inline, and use the toolbar and details panel.</td><td><a href="/pages/DI00pTOdaJmOwltHKgIa">/pages/DI00pTOdaJmOwltHKgIa</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to use stage cards</strong></td><td>Build the high-level phases across the top of your map.</td><td><a href="/pages/YeVZqUkvqujOSrFxYHsT">/pages/YeVZqUkvqujOSrFxYHsT</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to create and use templates</strong></td><td>Save a map as a template and reuse it for new maps.</td><td><a href="/pages/LY87TNBIxycYQoy5aUly">/pages/LY87TNBIxycYQoy5aUly</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to import from image</strong></td><td>Already have a map elsewhere? Rebuild it in Smaply from a screenshot.</td><td><a href="/pages/gUbzvZgq0NRwr87aVZTt">/pages/gUbzvZgq0NRwr87aVZTt</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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