# Create a connection in the PDI client

To access the repository items through the PDI client, perform the following steps to create a connection to a Pentaho Repository:

1. Verify the Pentaho Server is running, and then start the PDI client.
2. Click **Connect** in the upper right corner of the PDI client toolbar.

   The **Repository Manager** dialog box opens.

   **Note:** If **Connect** is replaced by a different link name, you are already connected to a repository.
3. Click **Add**.
4. Select from the following options:
   * **Pentaho Repository** - Uses a central environment through the Pentaho Server to store transformations, jobs, and schedules. This is the recommended repository to be used.
   * **File Repository** - Uses your local file system to store the metadata.
   * **Database Repository** - Uses a central relational database to store your ETL metadata.**Note:** Database and file repositories are not supported or recommended for production use.
5. Enter or update the **Display Name** property.
6. Modify the URL associated with your repository, if necessary.
7. (Optional) Provide description in the **Description** field.
8. Click **Save** to create repository.

   The repository is created and is listed in the Repository Manager dialog box.

You can either click **Connect**, to connect to the repository, or click **Close** to close the dialog box. If you chose to connect, see [Connect to a Pentaho Repository](/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/use-a-pentaho-repository-in-pdi/connect-to-a-pentaho-repository.md) and follow the procedure from step 2.

If you choose to close, you can connect to the repository later through the menu next to the **Connect** link in the upper right corner of the PDI client toolbar.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/use-a-pentaho-repository-in-pdi/create-a-connection-in-the-pdi-client.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.