# Create a Data Source

Source: https://help.zira.us/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source
Summary: Start a new data source from the create dialog, choose the right type, and continue into the editor or template flow that matches your setup.
Updated: 2026-04-26

Use the create flow when you want to add a new data source to a channel or system.

The create dialog highlights the main creation paths first, with AI-focused template options at the top and site-specific collector options available as a secondary section.

## See the flow first

Start from the **Data Sources** tab and use the **Add Data Source** button in the top-right area.

![Add Data Source button in the top-right area of the Data Sources tab.](/docs/data-sources/channel-data-sources/02-add-data-source-button.png)

Start by opening the create dialog and choosing the type that matches your workflow.

![Add Data Source dialog showing AI-Vision, AI-Pallet QA and Routing, Custom, PLC Connector, and Aggregator.](/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source/01-create-dialog.png)

If you choose **Custom**, the shared editor opens so you can define the title, description, fields, and preview.

![Custom data source editor with title, description, Add Field, and preview.](/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source/02-custom-data-source-editor.png)

If you use **AI Assist**, Zira can draft the first version of the data source structure for you.

![AI Data Source Builder showing a generated Power Meter draft and preview.](/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source/03-ai-data-source-builder.png)

## Open the create flow

1. Open a channel.
2. Click the **Data Sources** tab.
3. Click **Add Data Source**.

## Choose the right type

The create dialog focuses on these main paths:

- **AI-Vision**
- **AI Pallet QA and Routing**
- **Custom**
- **PLC Connector**
- **Aggregator**

Use the AI options when you want to start from a template-driven inspection workflow. Use the other types when you need a more manual or infrastructure-focused setup.

## Create an AI data source

1. Select **AI-Vision** or **AI Pallet QA and Routing**.
2. Review the available templates in the same dialog.
3. Select the template that matches the workflow you want.
4. Enter a name.
5. Click **Create data source**.

![AI-Vision setup with the data source name field and template choices visible.](/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source/04-ai-vision-template-selection.png)

After creation, the new data source is attached and opened in the normal data-source workspace.

## Pair a Zira AI-Vision device

After the AI-Vision data source is created, you can pair it with a Zira AI-Vision device.

1. Open the data source row actions menu.
2. Choose **QR Pairing**.

![Data source row actions menu with QR Pairing and Code Pairing options.](/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source/05-qr-pairing-menu.png)

3. A QR code opens on the screen.
4. On the Zira AI-Vision device home screen, tap **Pair** to open the QR scanner.
5. Scan the QR code shown in Zira to complete the pairing.

![QR code screen for pairing the AI-Vision device.](/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source/06-qr-code-screen.png)

If you prefer not to scan the QR code, use the **OTC** option on the device and choose **Code Pairing** in Zira so you can type the code instead.

## Create a custom data source

Choose **Custom** when you want to build the data source structure yourself.

This path opens the shared data-source editor, where you can:

- define the title and description
- add fields
- configure **More settings**
- preview the structure before saving
- use **AI Assist** to draft the structure for you

To learn the editor in more detail, continue with the create and edit guides below.

## Create a PLC Connector

Choose **PLC Connector** when you need a connector-style data source for PLC-related integration work.

This path uses the same data-source editor, with PLC-specific setup fields such as the device IP address.

## Create an Aggregator

Choose **Aggregator** when you want one data source to combine or summarize readings from other sources.

After creation, continue into the aggregation configuration step.

## Use site-specific collectors

If your site supports collector-based setups, open the site-specific collectors section in the guided dialog.

Use this section when you want to create a collector-driven data source for a site that has its own supported integrations.

## Read next

- [AI-Vision Data Source](/docs/data-sources/ai-vision-data-source) - Create and pair an AI-Vision setup.
- [AI-Pallet QA and Routing](/docs/data-sources/ai-pallet-qa-and-routing) - Start from pallet QA and routing templates.
- [Custom Data Source](/docs/data-sources/custom-data-source) - Build the structure yourself in the shared editor.
- [PLC Connector](/docs/data-sources/plc-connector) - Continue with PLC-related setup.
- [Aggregator Data Source](/docs/data-sources/aggregator-data-source) - Combine or summarize values from other sources.