> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://herd-security.gitbook.io/herd-security-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://herd-security.gitbook.io/herd-security-docs/trainings/getting-started-with-trainings/creating-trainings.md).

# Creating Trainings

## Create Trainings

Custom Trainings allow you to build learning content from the ground up that is tailored specifically to your organization’s needs. Whether it’s for compliance, onboarding, or a team-specific topic, Custom Trainings give you full control over the structure, materials, and delivery.

Custom Trainings are ideal when you need to:

* Share **organization-specific knowledge** (e.g., internal policies, tools, or processes).
* Deliver targeted content for a **specific department, project, or role**.
* Supplement Herd’s **Out-of-the-box Trainings** with material unique to your team.

### Starting a Custom Training

**Step 1:** On the **Trainings Page**, in the top right corner click **“New Training.”**

<figure><img src="/files/vKjecpBymuXz0wqTC0jB" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2**: Choose how you’d like to build your training. You have three options: **Create with HerdAI** (recommended), **Create manually** from a blank form, or **Import a SCORM package** to build a training from an existing SCORM `.zip` file.

<figure><img src="/files/MigdN4chMu1QY1e5uTRK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you choose to create your training with HerdAI, you'll be taken to HerdAI where it'll ask you what details such as topic, number of steps, quiz questions, or tone or style.

<figure><img src="/files/mt2sFxULawAKdEaWRFYJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you choose to create your training manually, enter a **title (required) and description (optional)** to help your team quickly understand the purpose of the training. **Add up to 10 tags** **(optional)** that are relevant to your training for a fast search experience. Later, on the training's detail page, tags and **compliance frameworks** are edited together in a single pill row — typing a framework name (like "PCI" or "SOC 2") suggests the framework instead of creating a duplicate tag.

If you choose **Import a SCORM package**, upload your SCORM `.zip` and Herd creates a new training from its content, which you can then edit like any other training.

<figure><img src="/files/FwT5SBBXBpXvo0pyA2Gb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 3:** Once you've entered the training information, click on **Create Training** in the bottom right corner to create your training overview.

## Building Your Content

**Step 1:** After you press **Create Training,** you'll be prompted to start creating step content

<figure><img src="/files/rbzh6BKJI2ZD0RBPDvUL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2:** To add more steps, click on **Add New Step**. To edit the content within the step, click on the message you wish to edit.

**Step 3:** Click into any step within the training to customize the content your users will see.

<figure><img src="/files/BxT7j7uYpIPSbXmnN9UI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Here’s what you can do in the step editor:

* **Message Body**\
  Type your content into the **Message Body** box.\
  A **Preview** panel on the right side of the **Message Body** will show how the message will appear in **Slack or Microsoft Teams**.
* **Formatting Tips**\
  Just below the message box, you’ll find formatting shortcuts:
  * **Bold**
  * *Italics*
  * ~~Strikethrough~~
  * [Links](https://example.com)
  * Numbered and bulleted lists — with **Indent** / **Un-indent** buttons (or **Tab** / **Shift+Tab**) for nested lists, rendered faithfully in Slack, Teams, and the web player
  * Blockquote
  * Inline code and code blocks
  * **Insert variable** — a dropdown of placeholders that fill in each recipient's details at delivery: **Mention** (`{{tag_user}}`), **Name**, **Email**, **Org** — plus any [custom variables](/herd-security-docs/settings/settings/general-and-approvals.md#custom-variables-directory-lookup-variables) your organization has defined (e.g. a per-department `{{security_lead}}`).
* **Paste a YouTube or Vimeo link** on its own and it attaches as an inline video — learners play it right inside the step (the player loads only when they press play). No special button needed.
* Click **“+ Add Button”** to insert response options or quiz prompts.
  * These buttons help guide users to the next step or capture answers.
  * **Limit: 30 characters** to ensure proper display in Slack.
* Use the **Correct Answer** field to select the correct response for quiz steps.
* **Explanation (optional)** — on any step with answer buttons, add an explanation of why the correct answer is correct. It's shown to the learner **after they answer**, in Slack, Teams, and the web player alike, turning every quiz question into a teaching moment.
* **Branching Rules** — on quiz steps, route learners to a different step based on their answer. Add rules that read as sentences: *If answer is* **correct** / **incorrect** / **a specific value** *→ go to* **Step N**. Rules are checked in order; if none match, the training continues to the next step as usual. Up to 10 rules per step, working identically in Slack, Teams, and the web player. Collapsed steps with rules show a **Has branching rules** marker.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you do not align the **Correct Answer** with the corresponding button, users will be marked incorrect even if they selected the right choice. This is essential for **accurate scoring**—at least one correct answer must be marked.
{% endhint %}

* **Attach Images or Videos**
  * Upload **images** or **videos** directly into the step manually or with AI
  * Or reuse something your organization already has: **Add from media library** opens your saved media with a folder filter. Folders, smart auto-filing, previews, and bulk organization live on the standalone [Media Library](/herd-security-docs/trainings/getting-started-with-trainings/media-library.md) page (the picker's **Manage library** button takes you there). Steps already using an asset always keep their copy.

**Step 4:** Your edits **save automatically**—a **Saving…** / **Saved** indicator at the top of the editor confirms when changes are stored. There's no separate Save button to press.

Once complete, you can preview your Custom Training, make edits, and then choose to [**send it immediately**](/herd-security-docs/trainings/getting-started-with-trainings/sending-trainings.md) or [**queue it for later release**](/herd-security-docs/trainings/getting-started-with-trainings/queue-trainings.md).

***

## Recognizing completion

To celebrate learners when they finish, Herd can send an org-branded PDF **completion award** — automatically on completion or on demand from the results view. See [Completion Awards](/herd-security-docs/trainings/getting-started-with-trainings/completion-awards.md).

***