Create a blank lab

#Goal

Create an empty lab and open Design so you place every device yourself.

#Why blank labs exist

Not every idea fits a Guided Lab. Blank is for:

• Building exactly the diagram from a workbook
• Mixing vendors your way
• Scratch labs you will throw away

When not to use blank: If you only want "learn BGP in 30 minutes", use Guided Labs instead - blank costs more time.

#GUI tutorial

#Step 1 - Open Labs

1. Sidebar -> Labs
2. Confirm you see the lab cards / list and the create actions

#Step 2 - Create blank lab

1. Click Create blank lab (or New Lab / Blank)
2. Enter Lab name (required), example: campus-core-practice
3. Optional description
4. Submit Create blank lab

#Step 3 - Land in Design

1. Confirm mode is Design
2. Open the palette and place devices - Design mode

#Recipe: campus core from scratch

1. Sidebar -> Labs
2. Click Create blank lab
3. Lab name (required), example: campus-core-practice
4. Optional description: 2 routers + 1 switch for OSPF week 1
5. Submit Create blank lab
6. The workspace opens with focus on Design (?focus=1)

Then in Design:

1. Use the templates picker to add two routers and one switch
2. Connect ports between them
3. Open ScriptPad for day-0 configs if needed
4. Switch to Operate -> Start all -> Terminal

#Expected result

• Lab appears under Your labs
• Canvas is empty and ready for drag / add
• Mode switch shows Design / Operate / Visualize

#If it fails

• Name required on create or Edit
• Quota / licence limits -> Administration or stop other labs
• No templates in the drawer -> check licence for commercial catalog; Community still includes FOSS Docker templates such as FRR and Alpine

#Related

• Labs page
• Design mode
• First lab walkthrough