> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/directus/directus/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Collections

> Manage collections in Directus

Collections are the database tables in your project. The Collections API allows you to manage collections and their metadata.

## List Collections

Retrieve all collections.

```bash theme={null}
GET /collections
```

**Example:**

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://your-directus-instance.com/collections" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
```

**Response:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "data": [
    {
      "collection": "articles",
      "meta": {
        "collection": "articles",
        "icon": "article",
        "note": "Blog articles",
        "display_template": "{{title}}",
        "hidden": false,
        "singleton": false,
        "translations": null,
        "archive_field": "status",
        "archive_value": "archived",
        "unarchive_value": "draft",
        "sort_field": "sort"
      },
      "schema": {
        "name": "articles",
        "comment": null
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## Get Collection

Retrieve a single collection.

```bash theme={null}
GET /collections/:collection
```

**Example:**

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://your-directus-instance.com/collections/articles" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
```

## Create Collection

Create a new collection.

```bash theme={null}
POST /collections
```

<Warning>
  This creates a new database table. Use with caution in production.
</Warning>

**Request Body:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "collection": "posts",
  "meta": {
    "icon": "article",
    "note": "Blog posts collection"
  },
  "schema": {
    "name": "posts"
  },
  "fields": [
    {
      "field": "id",
      "type": "integer",
      "meta": {
        "hidden": true,
        "interface": "input",
        "readonly": true
      },
      "schema": {
        "is_primary_key": true,
        "has_auto_increment": true
      }
    },
    {
      "field": "title",
      "type": "string",
      "meta": {
        "interface": "input",
        "required": true
      },
      "schema": {
        "max_length": 255
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## Update Collection

Update collection metadata.

```bash theme={null}
PATCH /collections/:collection
```

**Request Body:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "meta": {
    "icon": "article",
    "color": "#6644FF",
    "note": "Updated description"
  }
}
```

## Delete Collection

Delete a collection and all its items.

```bash theme={null}
DELETE /collections/:collection
```

<Warning>
  This permanently deletes the database table and all data. This action cannot be undone.
</Warning>

**Example:**

```bash theme={null}
curl -X DELETE "https://your-directus-instance.com/collections/posts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
```

## Collection Metadata

<ResponseField name="collection" type="string">
  The collection name (table name)
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.icon" type="string">
  Material icon name for the collection
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.color" type="string">
  Hex color code for the collection
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.note" type="string">
  Description of the collection
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.display_template" type="string">
  Template for displaying items (e.g., `{{title}}`)
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.hidden" type="boolean">
  Hide collection from the app navigation
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.singleton" type="boolean">
  Collection contains only one item
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.archive_field" type="string">
  Field name used for archiving (e.g., `status`)
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.archive_value" type="string">
  Value for archived items (e.g., `archived`)
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.unarchive_value" type="string">
  Value for active items (e.g., `draft`)
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="meta.sort_field" type="string">
  Field used for manual sorting
</ResponseField>

## System Collections

Directus includes built-in system collections:

* `directus_activity` - Activity logs
* `directus_collections` - Collection metadata
* `directus_fields` - Field metadata
* `directus_files` - File uploads
* `directus_folders` - File folders
* `directus_permissions` - Permissions rules
* `directus_roles` - User roles
* `directus_users` - Users
* `directus_settings` - Project settings
* `directus_flows` - Automation flows
* `directus_operations` - Flow operations
* `directus_dashboards` - Insights dashboards
* `directus_panels` - Dashboard panels

<Note>
  System collections cannot be deleted or have their structure modified.
</Note>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Fields" icon="input-text" href="/api/rest/fields">
    Manage collection fields
  </Card>

  <Card title="Items" icon="database" href="/api/rest/items">
    Work with collection items
  </Card>
</CardGroup>