
Before you build a dashboard, make sure the underlying sources already exist.

Dashboards are usually strongest when the data model is ready first.

## Add the right data sources

Many widgets depend on one or more data sources being available first.

This is especially important for:

- **KPI**
- **Grouped KPI**
- **KPI Table**
- **Column**
- **Bar**
- **Pie**
- **Time series**
- **Indicator**
- **Data Table**
- **AI Insights**
- **Filter Widget**
- **Streaming**
- **Data Streaming**

If you do not have the right data source yet, create or attach it before building the dashboard.

## Confirm the dashboard scope

When creating a dashboard, the app can work with one or more data sources depending on the dashboard type and context.

Before you begin, decide:

- whether the dashboard should focus on one data source or several
- whether it belongs to a site-level or company-level workflow
- whether it is meant for one operational use case or a broader overview

## Prepare task context when needed

Task widgets work best when the related task workflow already exists.

This matters for:

- **Board**
- **List**
- **Task Statistics**

If the task process has not been set up yet, the dashboard may open but not tell a useful story.

## Prepare channels and feed sources when needed

Some widgets depend more on channels and app activity than on readings.

Examples:

- **Feed**
- **Shortcuts**

If you want a feed-focused dashboard, make sure the relevant channels, hashtags, or post activity already exist.

## Prepare AI Vision Devices for visual widgets

Some widgets expect an **AI Vision Device** or another supported live device context.

This matters for:

- **Streaming**
- **Data Streaming**

If the related device is not available, those widgets cannot be configured usefully.

## Read next

- [Create a Dashboard](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard) - Create the dashboard itself.
- [Data Research Widgets](/docs/dashboards/data-research-widgets) - Choose widgets once the underlying sources are ready.


Prepare the right data sources, channels, tasks, and dashboard context before you start adding widgets.

Before You Build


Create a dashboard when you want a new operational view for data, tasks, feed activity, or AI-driven insights.

## Start from the dashboards list

Open the channel where you want the dashboard to live, then open **Dashboards**.

This page shows the dashboards that already exist in that channel.

![Dashboards tab showing the list of existing dashboards.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/01-dashboards-list.png)

## Start a new dashboard

You can create dashboards from the **Dashboards** tab of a channel.

1. Open a channel.
2. Click the **Dashboards** tab.
3. Use the add action.
4. Choose to create a new dashboard.

![Add Dashboard dialog showing the name, description, privacy, and editing options.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/02-add-dashboard-dialog.png)

## Fill in the dashboard details

When the create dialog opens, complete the main setup:

1. Enter the dashboard **Name**.
2. Add an optional **Description**.
3. Decide whether the dashboard should be **Private**.
4. Decide whether **Enable Editing** should be on.
5. Click **Save**.

Keep the name clear and practical so the dashboard is easy to recognize later.

## Attach the data sources you want to use

After the dashboard opens, you can choose which data sources should be available inside it.

![Manage Data Sources dialog showing multiple selected data sources for the dashboard.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/03-manage-data-sources.png)

This is especially helpful when the dashboard should compare more than one line, device, or source in the same view.

## Choose a useful default time range

The default time range affects how widgets open the first time.

Choose a range that matches the dashboard purpose.

Examples:

- a recent range for live operational dashboards
- a wider range for trend and reporting dashboards

## What happens next

After the dashboard is created:

- it opens with its dashboard toolbar
- you can add widgets
- you can use the AI build flow if you want to add widgets, change layout, or shape the dashboard with plain-language requests
- you can adjust the layout
- you can return later and edit the dashboard settings

![Newly created dashboard opening in its empty state before widgets are added.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/04-new-dashboard-empty-state.png)

## Read next

- [AI Dashboard Builder](/docs/dashboards/ai-dashboard-builder) - Add widgets, change layout, and update the dashboard with AI.
- [Layout and Editing](/docs/dashboards/layout-and-editing) - Arrange the dashboard page.
- [Data Research Widgets](/docs/dashboards/data-research-widgets) - Choose the right first chart or KPI widgets.


Create a dashboard from the dashboards list, choose its basic settings, attach data sources, and open it for the first time.

Create a Dashboard


Zira organizes work in a simple hierarchy so teams can keep the right people, data, dashboards, tasks, and conversations in the right place.

The hierarchy is:

**Company** -> **Site** -> **Channel**

Each level gives work more context. A company contains sites, and each site contains channels where teams manage day-to-day operations.

## A simple way to think about it

**Company** is the highest level of the workspace. It represents the organization or business unit.

**Site** sits inside a company. It usually represents a physical location, facility, plant, warehouse, or operational site.

**Channel** sits inside a site. It is where most daily work happens. A channel can represent a team, line, area, process, project, or workflow.

## What belongs at each level

Use the **company** level for work that applies across the organization, such as company-wide dashboards, shared resources, leadership updates, or cross-site initiatives.

Use the **site** level for work that belongs to a specific location or facility, such as site performance, local teams, site-level dashboards, and operational updates.

Use the **channel** level for focused daily work, such as production lines, quality checks, maintenance workflows, inspection processes, team tasks, and shared discussions.

## Why the hierarchy matters

The hierarchy helps teams keep operational context connected.

Instead of mixing all work into one shared space, Zira lets teams organize information by where the work happens and who needs to act on it.

This makes it easier to:

- find the right dashboards, forms, tasks, files, and updates
- understand whether work belongs to a company, site, or specific team
- keep site-level and channel-level work separated but connected
- compare activity across sites, lines, teams, or processes
- give teams a focused space for their daily work

## Where daily work happens

Most daily work happens in **channels**.

Channels are where teams typically review dashboards, collect data, manage tasks, discuss issues, and follow up on operational work.

Companies and sites provide the structure above channels, so work stays organized as your operation grows.

Understand how the workspace hierarchy is organized in Zira, from company to site to channel.

Workspace Hierarchy

What Is Zira

Accept an Invite

Create Your Account

Sign In to Zira

Forgot Your Password

Change Your Password

Account Access

Update Your Profile

Change Your Preferences

Choose Your Work Mode

Profile Preferences

App Bar and Sidebar

Navigation

Overview

Remote Control

Trim Saw Stops

Datasets

Dataset Page

Image Annotation

Validation

Image Review

Training

Video Review

Models

Routing

Grading

AI Vision

AI Agents

AI Help Assistant

Home AI Assistant

Connect Zira to Claude

Zira in Claude and Codex (Beta)

Dashboard AI Assistant

AI Insights

AI Form and Data Source Builder

AI Form Fill

AI Routing Assistant

AI Assistance

Data Sources Tabs

Create a Data Source

AI-Vision Data Source

AI-Pallet QA and Routing

Custom Data Source

PLC Connector

Aggregator Data Source

More Settings

Expressions and Validation

Events

Shifts

Expressions

Data Sources

Forms

Build Forms with AI

Using Dashboards

Layout and Editing

AI Dashboard Builder

Data Research Widgets

Data Table

Embedded and Custom Widgets

Task Widgets

Header

Shortcuts

Feed

Filter Widget

Streaming

Data Streaming

QA Snapshots

Channel Dashboards

Dashboards

Install the Zira App

Create a Chat

Chat

Tasks

People

Invite People to a Site

Documents

Applications

Support

Scheduler

Triggers

Inventory

Operations App Overview

Set Up a Tablet

Operations App

TV App Overview

Set Up a TV

TV App

Follow a Channel & Get Notified

Channels

Docs

Browse Guides

Before You Build

Add the right data sources

Confirm the dashboard scope

Prepare task context when needed

Prepare channels and feed sources when needed

Prepare AI Vision Devices for visual widgets

Read next