> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tmniche-docs.keywordrush.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tmniche-docs.keywordrush.com/building-a-site/create-a-plan.md).

# Create a content plan (the wizard)

The new-plan wizard turns a niche into a complete [Topic Map](/core-concepts/topic-map.md). It has five steps — **Basics, Scale, Silo, Scan, Review** — but only one field is ever required: **Niche**. Everything else has a sensible default or is resolved automatically, so leave a setting alone unless you have a reason to change it.

Open it from **Too Much Niche → Content Plans → + New plan**.

## Step 1 — Basics

Your niche and the planner's assumptions.

* **Niche** — the only required field.
* **Primary monetization** — the model for this site. It reshapes the whole plan and is **fixed once the plan is created**, so choose carefully (see [Monetization models](/core-concepts/monetization-models.md)). Depending on the model, you'll also pick **affiliate networks**, a **product source**, or a **Business / Offer Profile** here.
* **Market, language** (English by default; see [Supported languages](/reference/languages.md)), **site stage, expertise, tone** — optional baseline settings that the rest of generation inherits.
* **Advanced settings → Allowed formats** — restrict which formats TMN may use. **Leave it empty (recommended)** so TMN picks the best format per topic.

![The Basics step](/files/kaLjH9s0kpaMI5W3TJtV)

## Step 2 — Scale

How big the plan is and how it's paced.

* **Plan scale** — **Auto (recommended)** sizes it to your niche; or choose **Starter / Standard / Authority**, or **Custom** to set hubs and depth yourself.
* **Pace** — set a **Planning horizon** (finish within X) *or* a **Publishing velocity** (posts per week); TMN spreads the publishing calendar to match.
* **Info / Money mix** — how commercial the plan leans.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Bigger isn't better.** A larger plan doesn't mean more traffic — a tightly focused plan usually ranks better. Split a wide niche into a few smaller plans rather than one giant one.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Big plans (100+ articles)** stretch further on your own API key — ½ credit each, with your choice of quality. See [Bring your own API key](/account-and-licensing/byo-api-key.md).
{% endhint %}

![The Scale step](/files/8kyE9vdri5ruvPavf8ka)

## Step 3 — Silo

The internal-linking structure — hubs, pillars, and how widely articles cross-link. The defaults produce a clean silo, so most people leave this step as-is. See [Interlinking](/core-concepts/interlinking.md) for what the controls do.

![The Silo step](/files/PJF4ccAjmnJ8p3ON23kI)

## Step 4 — Scan existing site (optional)

If your site already has content, the scan lets TMN plan **around the gaps** instead of duplicating what you've published — and helps avoid keyword cannibalization. Skip it for a brand-new site.

* **Scan mode** — turn it on with **Scan site inventory** (off by default for a fresh site).
* **Time window, post types & statuses, category filter** — narrow what's analyzed. Up to **500 posts** are included in the scan.
* **Include existing categories** — lets the new plan **reuse your existing categories** where they fit the new articles, instead of always creating new ones.
* You can **preview** what the scan picks up before continuing.

![The Scan step](/files/nsCNiNbSFVXKkv5rNZcJ)

## Step 5 — Review & generate

Check the summary, then click **Generate plan**.

![The Review step with Generate plan](/files/Sf2ZPEiO8CwjJ4BSVwPA)

## After you submit

Planning runs on our servers and takes a few minutes. The plan's **details page** opens and shows progress as it builds — **keep that page open**, because it polls for the finished plan and loads it when it's ready. If you navigate away, reopen the plan from **Content Plans** to let it finish loading.

Once planning completes, the plan is ready — you can start generating articles right away.

## Next

* [**The Topic Map**](/core-concepts/topic-map.md) — what you get and how it's organized.
* [**Edit your Topic Map**](/building-a-site/edit-topic-map.md) — shape the plan before generating.
* [**Generate & publish articles**](/building-a-site/generate-articles.md) — turn the plan into posts.