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How-to guide

How to create a Lightning app in App Manager

Build a new user-facing Lightning app from Setup so a specific team gets its own branded navigation bar and tab set in the App Launcher.

By Dipojjal Chakrabarti · Founder & Editor, Salesforce DictionaryLast updated Jun 16, 2026

Build a new user-facing Lightning app from Setup so a specific team gets its own branded navigation bar and tab set in the App Launcher.

  1. Open App Manager

    From Setup, type App in the Quick Find box and select App Manager. Click the New button and choose New Lightning App to start the wizard.

  2. Set details and branding

    Enter the App Name and Description, upload an optional logo image, and pick a primary hex color or match the org theme. These shape how the app looks in the navigation bar.

  3. Add utilities and navigation items

    On the App Options and Utility Items steps, add any docked tools you want, then on Navigation Items add and order the tabs and objects the team will use most.

  4. Assign and save

    On the final screen, add the user profiles that should see the app, then click Save and Finish. Assigned users get the app on their next App Launcher load.

App Namerequired

The display name shown in the App Launcher and the navigation header. A matching Developer Name (API name) is generated for metadata reference.

Navigation Itemsrequired

The ordered list of tabs and objects that appear across the top of the app. An app with no navigation items has nothing for users to open.

User Profilesrequired

The profiles the app is made visible to. Without at least one assignment, the app exists but no one can see it in the App Launcher.

Gotchas
  • If a new app does not show up, check the Visible in Lightning column and confirm the user's profile (or a permission set) actually grants access.
  • The image must be JPG, PNG, BMP, or GIF and 5 MB or smaller; 128 by 128 pixels is the recommended size for a crisp navigation logo.
  • App Manager keeps no change history, so capture the CustomApplication metadata in source control if you want to track or roll back edits.

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