---
layout: docs
page_title: Manage namespaces
description: >-
  Learn how to create, delete, and manage namespaces in the Vault UI.
---

# Manage namespaces in the Vault UI

@include 'alerts/enterprise-only.mdx'

Use namespaces in Vault Enterprise to create isolated environments within a
single Vault cluster. You can use namespaces to organize teams, projects, or
environments, and delegate management to different administrators.

<Tip title="Best practices for namespaces">

For guidance on structuring namespaces, see [Best practices for namespaces and mount paths](/vault/docs/enterprise/namespaces/namespace-structure).

</Tip>

## Before you start

- **You must have Vault Enterprise 1.20.0+.**
- **You must have permission to create, read, list, delete, and manage namespaces**.

## Create a namespace

1. In the Vault UI sidebar, navigate to **Access** and select **Namespaces**.
1. Confirm you have logged in under the correct namespace context. For example,
   to create a top-level namespace, you must be under the `root` namespace.
1. Click **Create namespace +**.
1. Enter a unique name for your new namespace.
1. Click **Save** to create the namespace.
<figure>
  <img src="/img/save-namespace.png" alt="Save namespace" />
  <figcaption>Create namespace form in the Vault UI</figcaption>
</figure>

## Create a nested namespace

A nested namespace is any namespace that exists within another non-root
namespace. Vault displays nested namespaces in the GUI with the parent namespace
as a prefix. For example, a `dev` namespace nested under `engineering` appears
as `engineering/dev` in the GUI.

Before nesting namespaces, we recommend reading the
[Best practices for namespaces and mount paths](/vault/docs/enterprise/namespaces/namespace-structure)
guide.

1. Create the parent namespace or select an existing namespace from the
   namespace picker or namespace list in the Vault GUI.
1. Confirm you are in the correct parent namespace context.
1. Click **Create namespace +**.
1. On the **Create a Namespace** screen, enter a path for the new, child
   namespace.
1. Click **Save** to create a namespace nested under the selected parent
   namespace.


## Delete a namespace

<Warning title="Namespace deletion is permanent">
  Deleting a namespace removes all resources, secrets, and configuration data
  contained within it. You cannot restore a deleted namespace.
</Warning>

1. Find the namespace you want to delete in the **Namespaces** list.
1. Delete or move any child namespaces.
1. Open the the additional options menu by clicking the three dots next to the
   namespace you want to delete.
1. Select **Delete** from the option menu.
1. Click **Confirm** on the **Delete this namespace?** confirmation modal.


<figure>
  <img src="/img/delete-namespace.png" alt="Delete namespace" />
  <figcaption>Delete namespace option in the Vault GUI</figcaption>
</figure>

## Switch between namespaces from "Manage Namespace"

1. Navigate to **Access** > **Namespaces** in the Vault GUI.
1. Open the additional options button by clicking the three dots next to the
   namespace you want to switch to.
1. Select **Switch to namespace** from the option menu to change your namespace
   context.

<figure>
  <img src="/img/switch-to-namespace.png" alt="Switch to namespace" />
  <figcaption>Switch to namespace option in the Vault UI</figcaption>
</figure>

## Switch between namespaces using the namespace picker

1. Open the **Namespace picker** dropdown in the Vault GUI to view available
   namespaces.
1. To filter the namespace list, type part of the namespace path the search bar.
   Vault automatically filters the list of namespaces you can access as you type.
1. Click on the desired namespace to change your namespace context.

<Tip>
If you know the exact namespace you want, you can type the path directly into
the namespace picker search bar and press <strong>Enter</strong> to switch your namespace
context.
</Tip>

<figure>
  <img src="/img/namespace-picker.png" alt="Namespace picker" />
  <figcaption>Searching for a nested namespace path in the Namespace picker</figcaption>
</figure>