---
layout: docs
page_title: Host catalog resource
description: >-
  Learn about using the host catalog resource to organize and manage hosts and host sets within a project based on their function, environment, or other criteria.
---

# Host catalogs

A host catalog is a resource
that contains [hosts][] and [host sets][].
A host catalog can only be defined within a [project][].

## Attributes

A host catalog has the following configurable attributes:

- `name` - (optional)
  If set, the `name` must be unique within the host catalog's [project][].

- `description` - (optional)

### Plugin host catalog information and attributes

- `plugin_id` - (required)
  Must reference an installed plugin.

- `attributes` - (optional)
  A collection of fields which the plugin uses to interface with the backing
  service.

- `secrets` - (optional)
  A collection of sensitive fields, like credentials, which the plugin uses to
  interface with the backing service.  These fields are write-only.

## Referenced by

- [Host][]
- [Host Set][]
- [Project][]

[host set]: /boundary/docs/concepts/domain-model/host-sets
[host sets]: /boundary/docs/concepts/domain-model/host-sets
[host]: /boundary/docs/concepts/domain-model/hosts
[hosts]: /boundary/docs/concepts/domain-model/hosts
[project]: /boundary/docs/concepts/domain-model/scopes#projects

## Service API docs

The following services are relevant to this resource:

- [Host Catalog Service](/boundary/api-docs/host-catalog-service)