# Create ranges

> Create ranges and child ranges in the Console, in code, or in an Arc automation.

Create a [range](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges) to mark a test, a run, or an event in your data. Divide a range into smaller intervals with child ranges. For every property of a range, see the [reference](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges/reference#properties).

| Use                             | When                                                  |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| The Console                     | An operator marks a test, or a region of a line plot. |
| The Python or TypeScript client | A test script marks each run that it starts.          |
| Arc                             | An automation marks each run, stage, or event.        |

## Create a range

[Enterprise](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/editions "Needs Synnax Enterprise")

**Console**

1. Open the create dialog in one of these ways:

   * Click in the ranges toolbar.
   * Run the “Create range” command from the [command palette](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/ui-overview#search-and-command-palette).
   * Select a region of a [line plot](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/line-plots#select-a-region), right-click it, and select **Create range from selection**.

2. Enter a name.

3. Optional: change the start or end time on the timeline, and set a **Parent range** and labels.

4. Click **Save to Core**.

A new range starts now and has no end, so it is in progress until you complete it.

To keep the range only in this Console, click **Save locally**. A local range has no parent and no labels, and the ranges toolbar marks it with an **L**. To store it later, right-click it in the ranges toolbar and select **Save to Core**. See [saved and local ranges](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges/reference#saved-and-local-ranges).

[](https://synnax.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/docs/client/ranges/create-dark.mp4#t=0.001)

**Python**

```python
from datetime import datetime

import synnax as sy

my_range = client.ranges.create(
    name="My Range",
    time_range=sy.TimeRange(
        start=sy.TimeStamp(datetime(2023, 2, 12, 12, 30)),
        end=sy.TimeStamp(datetime(2023, 2, 12, 14, 30)),
    ),
)

# A range that starts now and lasts two hours
my_range = client.ranges.create(
    name="My Range",
    time_range=sy.TimeStamp.now().span_range(sy.TimeSpan.HOUR * 2),
)
```

To avoid a duplicate when a script runs more than once, pass `retrieve_if_name_exists=True`. When one range has the same name, the client returns it. When several do, it returns the one with the same time range.

**TypeScript**

```typescript
import { TimeRange, TimeSpan, TimeStamp } from "@synnaxlabs/client";

const myRange = await client.ranges.create({
  name: "My Range",
  timeRange: new TimeRange(
    new TimeStamp("2023-02-12 12:30:00"),
    new TimeStamp("2023-02-12 14:30:00"),
  ),
});

// A range that starts now and lasts two hours
const nextRange = await client.ranges.create({
  name: "My Range",
  timeRange: TimeStamp.now().spanRange(TimeSpan.hours(2)),
});
```

**Arc**

An [Arc automation](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/control/arc/introduction) creates a range when a test starts and ends it when the test ends. The range starts when `ranges.create` runs, and ends when `ranges.end` runs:

```arc
import ranges

sequence test {
    run_key str $= ""
    stage idle {
        start_cmd == 1 => run
    }
    stage run {
        ranges.create{name="Hotfire", color="#3bc454"} -> run_key
        stop_cmd == 1 => done
    }
    stage done {
        ranges.end{key=run_key}
        start_cmd == 1 => run
    }
}

true => test
```

For child ranges, aborts, and limits, see [create ranges in Arc](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges/arc).

## Create child ranges

[Child ranges](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges#child-ranges) divide a range into smaller intervals.

[Enterprise](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/get-started/editions "Needs Synnax Enterprise")

**Console**

Set the **Parent range** in the create dialog. You can also right-click a range in the ranges toolbar or the range explorer and select **Create child range**, or click

in the child ranges section of the [range overview](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges/find#range-overview).

[](https://synnax.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/docs/client/ranges/create-child-dark.mp4#t=0.001)

**Python**

```python
child_range = parent_range.create_child_range(
    name="My Child Range",
    time_range=sy.TimeRange(start=start, end=end),
)

# Or pass the parent to create, for one or many children
client.ranges.create(
    [
        sy.Range(name="Child A", time_range=tr_a, parent=parent_range),
        sy.Range(name="Child B", time_range=tr_b, parent=parent_range),
    ]
)
```

**TypeScript**

```typescript
const childRange = await client.ranges.create({
  name: "My Child Range",
  timeRange: new TimeRange(start, end),
  parent: parentRange,
});

// Or create many children in one call
await client.ranges.create([
  { name: "Child A", timeRange: trA, parent: parentRange },
  { name: "Child B", timeRange: trB, parent: parentRange },
]);
```

**Arc**

Give the key of the parent range to `parent`:

```arc
import ranges

sequence test {
    run_key str $= ""
    stage run {
        ranges.create{name="Press test", color="#3bc454"} -> run_key
        tank_pt > 300.0 => hold
    }
    stage hold {
        ranges.create{name="Hold", parent=run_key, color="#8b5cf6"}
    }
}

start_cmd == 1 => test
```

To end each child range, see [mark each stage with a child range](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges/arc#mark-each-stage-with-a-child-range).