When you start working in Pro Tools | First, you create a project. A project is the document that Pro Tools | First creates when you choose File > Create New. Pro Tools | First can open only one project file at a time. A project is a timeline-based map of all elements associated with your song, including audio and MIDI, and all of your edit and mix information. A Pro Tools | First project does not contain any audio files itself. Instead, it references audio files cached on your computer (and that are stored online in your MyAvid account cloud storage). Pro Tools | First can only have one project open at a time.

Pro Tools | First synchronizes your local project and associated media with your online account automatically. You must be online the first time you create a project, but after that you can work offline. Pro Tools | First and the Avid Application Manager will synchronize your local project with your online account the next time you are online. This process runs in the background and can be monitored in Pro Tools | First by checking the Task Manager (Window > Task Manager).