---
key: create-an-operational-asset
title: Create an operational asset
audience: staff
section: operational-assets
routes: ["/assets", "/assets/new"]
permissions: ["assets.records.create"]
features: ["operations.assets"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Add a van, trailer, generator, kit or tool to the Asset Registry by starting from a profile and filling in its name, tag, serial number and branch.
keywords: [add asset, new asset, register a vehicle, add a trailer, add equipment, fleet, asset tag, serial number]
related: [find-an-operational-asset, create-an-asset-profile, check-which-assets-are-ready-to-dispatch]
---

In the sidebar, open **Equipment & Fleet**, then **Assets**. The page address is `/assets`. Press **Create asset** and the form opens at `/assets/new` under the heading **Create Operational Asset**.

## Before you start

- Every asset starts from a profile. A profile is the reusable rule set for one kind of equipment: which documents it must carry, which meters it tracks, which checklists and service programs apply. If the profile list is empty, someone has to build one first: see [[create-an-asset-profile]].
- Your role needs permission to create operational assets. Without it the form opens but every field is greyed out and **Create asset** stays off.

## Steps

1. Press **Create asset** at the top of the registry.
2. Under **Profile selection**, choose a **Profile**. The list shows each profile's name, key and version, drafts included. The card below shows its description, category and kind.
3. Check **Class**. Nova fills it in with a class linked to that profile, or with the first class in the list when none is linked. Change it if it is wrong: the class's category and kind have to match the profile's, or Nova refuses to create the asset.
4. Under **Asset identity**, type an **Asset name** such as "North Yard Trailer 12". Add the **Asset tag** printed on the unit and its **Serial number** so technicians can scan or search for it later.
5. Choose the **Branch** that runs this asset (it starts as **Unassigned**) and its **Ownership**: **Owned**, **Leased**, **Borrowed** or **Rented**.
6. Fill in what you know: **Manufacturer**, **Model**, **Purchase vendor**, **Purchase order**, **Acquired at**, **Warranty expires** and **Notes**. All of these are optional.
7. Under **Instantiation options**, **Instantiate contained assets** (create the kit parts the profile requires) and **Create document placeholders** (draft records for every required document) start ticked; untick either if you do not want it. Tick **Container or kit parent** if other assets live inside this one.
8. Untick **Schedulable asset**, which starts ticked. This form cannot link the asset to a bookable unit on the **Schedule**, and Nova refuses to create a schedulable asset without one.
9. Check **Resolved preview**. It lists the **Documents**, **Meters**, **Contained assets**, **Supplies**, **Checklists** and **Programs** the asset will inherit.
10. Press **Create asset** at the top or in the **Validation** card. Nova shows a confirmation naming the asset and the profile, then opens the new asset's page.

## What you see

- The four tiles at the top, **Profile**, **Linked classes**, **Documents** and **Contained assets**, update as you pick a profile.
- **Validation** lists anything still missing. It reads "Select a profile." or "Enter an asset name." until both are filled, and the button stays off.
- **Back to registry** returns without saving. **Profile registry** opens the list of profiles.

## If something looks different

- **Profile** offers nothing to choose: no profile has been created yet, or all are archived. Ask your admin or see [[create-an-asset-profile]].
- Creating fails with a message that the profile category or kind "must match the selected asset class": pick a matching **Class**.
- Creating fails right after you press the button with every field filled: make sure **Schedulable asset** is unticked.
- Creating fails with "Archived asset profiles cannot be assigned": you picked an older, replaced version of the profile. Pick the same profile with the highest version number.
- The asset needs a class that is not in the list: see [[create-an-asset-class]].
- You created the asset and want to see whether it is ready to send out: see [[check-which-assets-are-ready-to-dispatch]].

[[route:/assets/new|Create an asset]]