---
title: "Initialize the project"
url: https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/tutorials/payslip-generator-app/nodejs/initialize-project/
description: "Build a web app that uses Catalyst components to generate a PDF from a dynamic custom payslip template, and email the generated document to the end-user."
last_updated: 2026-11-04T10:10:44Z
service: All Services
type: tutorial
related_links:
  - name: "Initialize CLI Resources"
    url: /en/cli/v1/initialize-resources/introduction/
  - name: "Project Directory Structure"
    url: /en/cli/v1/project-directory-structure/introduction/
---

# Initialize the Project from the CLI

You can now begin working on your Catalyst project from the CLI. The first step is to initialize the project in an empty directory. This will be the home directory of your project, and all of the project files will be saved in it.

You can learn more about this from the [Project Directory Structure help page](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/project-directory-structure/introduction/). You can learn about initializing a project in detail from the [CLI help documentation](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/project-directory-structure/introduction/).

For the payslip generator application, we will initialize the Advanced I/O function first, followed by the Client component.

> **Note:** We recommend that you enter the function's package name or class name and the client's name exactly as instructed, because the application's code contains the same name.

1. Create a folder for the project on your local machine and navigate to it from the terminal.

2. Initialize a project by executing the following command from that directory:

```sh
catalyst init
```

3. Navigate using the **arrow keys** and select your preferred portal and press the **Enter** key. If you have no other organizations associated with the account, then the default one will be automatically selected.
![catalyst_payslip_portal_choice](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_portal_choice.webp)

You can find out more about Catalyst’s multi-org portal feature from this [help document](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/getting-started/catalyst-organizations/#access-the-multi-org-portal).

4. The CLI will now ask you to associate a Catalyst project with the directory. Associate it with the project that we created earlier from the console. Select **PayslipGenerator** from the list and press **Enter**.
![catalyst_payslip_project_choice](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_project_choice.webp)

5. Navigate using **arrow keys** and select **Functions**, **Client** using the **space bar**. Press the **Enter** key to initialize.
![catalyst_payslip_func_client_init](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_func_client_init.webp)

6. The CLI will initiate the function setup. Select **AdvancedIO** as the function type.
![catalyst_payslip_func_advacne_select](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_func_advacne_select.webp)

7. Select the latest runtime of *Node.js* as the function stack.
![catalyst_payslip_func_node16_select](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_func_node16_select.webp)

8. Enter "`payslip_generator_function`" as the package name, "`index.js`" as the entry point, and your email address, as the author and press **Enter**. You can alternatively press **Enter** without entering inputs to fill in the default values. The CLI will prompt the initialization of the Node dependencies. Press **Y** to confirm the installation, and press **Enter** to confirm your choice. The Node modules will be installed.
![catalyst_payslip_func_init_done](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_func_init_done.webp)

9. The CLI will now initiate the client setup. Select "**Basic web app**" and press **Enter** to initialize your client as a [basic web app](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/initialize-resources/initialize-client/#basic-client-applications).
![catalyst_payslip_client_basic_select](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_client_basic_select.webp)

10. Enter "**PayslipGenerator**" as the name of your client package and press **Enter**. You can also provide any name of your choice.
![catalyst_payslip_client_basic_init_complete](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_client_basic_init_complete.webp)

Catalyst initialization is now complete.

The [project directory](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/project-directory-structure/introduction/) is now set up with the client directory and the functions directory along with configuration files and dependencies. The project directory also contains the [`catalyst.json`](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/project-directory-structure/catalyst-json/) configuration file and a hidden `.catalystrc` file.

The structure of your project directory should appear as shown below:
![catalyst_payslip_proj_directory](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/tutorials/payslip-generator/catalyst_payslip_proj_directory.webp)