# Creating a Gang

> What it costs, what to pick, and what to do in the first hour as boss.

![Screenshot: the gang creation form in the tablet, with fields visible](../screenshots/02-gangs/tablet-create-gang-form.png)
*Screenshot needed: the "Create new gang" form inside the tablet showing name, tag, color, description fields.*

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## Total cost

| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gang tablet (*planšetė*) | $3,500 |
| Gang creation fee | $15,000 |
| **Total minimum** | **$18,500** |

Plan to have ~$25k before you press the button — you'll want some startup capital for sprays and your first member's tablet too.

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## Prerequisites

- Have a `gangtablet` item in inventory (buy from the configured NPC)
- Have $15,000 cash on hand (not bank — confirm with admin)
- Type `/gangtablet` in chat → open the *planšetė*
- Navigate to "Create new gang" option

> ⚠️ **Admin-only mode:** if `Config.AdminOnlyGangCreation = true`, only admins can press the create button. They'll assign an online player as the new boss.

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## The create form

You'll fill in:

### Gang name
- Max 32 characters
- Lithuanian names encouraged (`Vilijampolės Šeima`, `Senamiesčio Bandos`, `Šilainių Kovotojai`)
- Public — appears in every Members list and on zone overlays
- Cannot be renamed once set (decide carefully)

### Gang tag
- Max 6 characters
- Appears as `[TAG]` prefix in gang chat
- Used in spray graphics and tablet displays
- Examples: `VLJ`, `SNM`, `ŠLN`, `LST` (Lost MC style)

### Theme color
- Hex code (e.g., `#22c55e`, `#ff3344`, `#d4af37`)
- Used for: spray defaults, tablet UI accents, zone outline on map, NPC AI when applicable
- Pick something distinct from other active gangs (chat with them first)

### Description
- Max 160 characters
- Visible on public gang directory
- Lithuanian flavor encouraged ("Vilijampolės senas pavidalas. Iki galo savo.")

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## Confirming the create

When you press "Create":

1. $15,000 is deducted from your cash
2. The gang is created server-side and persisted to the database
3. You're automatically assigned **boss** rank
4. The Members tab shows just you (rank: boss, rep: 0)
5. Treasury starts at $0
6. You have 0 zones, 0 XP, level 1

![Screenshot: tablet immediately after creation showing empty gang state](../screenshots/02-gangs/tablet-fresh-gang.png)
*Screenshot needed: the tablet right after creating a gang, with the empty roster + treasury visible.*

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## First-hour boss checklist

### Recruit 2–4 members
- Tell people in chat / Discord
- Have them buy a tablet ($3,500 each)
- Send invites from your tablet — Members tab → Invite player by ID
- Invites expire after 10 minutes

### Pick a hideout
- Decide where your gang "lives" — pick a zone you'll try to claim first
- Vilijampolė and Šilainiai are popular gang turf
- Senamiestis (downtown) is high-traffic but harder to defend

### Set custom ranks (optional)
- Default ranks (boss, underboss, captain, soldier, prospect) work fine
- If you want LT-themed ranks (`viršininkas`, `kapitonas`, `karys`), customize them via Ranks tab

### Place a spray to mark territory
- Buy a `gangspray` item
- Use it in a visible spot in your target zone
- This signals your claim and contributes to zone capture
- See [sprays.md](sprays.md)

### Set the gang theme + description
- Refine the description if you want
- Pick a tablet theme accent color (separate from gang theme color if desired)

### Run your first raid
- Wait for a raid contract to spawn (server-wide ~125 min after server start, then ~355 min cadence)
- Need 3+ members online to lock in
- See [../05-crime-loops/raid-contracts.md](../05-crime-loops/raid-contracts.md)

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## Common mistakes

- **Don't immediately invite 15 people.** Quality beats quantity. 4 active members > 15 inactive
- **Don't pick the same color as an established gang.** You'll be confused with them on the map
- **Don't drain the treasury on day 1.** Save for raid items + tablet for new members
- **Don't accept the boss role if you can't be on regularly** — your gang may auto-disband from inactivity

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## Related

- [overview.md](overview.md) — should you create a gang?
- [tablet.md](tablet.md) — how the tablet works
- [ranks-permissions.md](ranks-permissions.md) — promoting trusted members
- [treasury-chat.md](treasury-chat.md) — managing gang money