Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing projects using references between the project and project items. Project items can be, for example, synchronized content items, collaborative content items, other projects, folders, tasks, user accounts, etc. The content management system can create a project identifier for managing data and/or people associated with a project. In various implementations, the content management system can store references between the project and project items in one or more folders associated with the project, in a database, in content item metadata, etc. In some implementations, the storage location of a content item does not affect whether it is associated with the project. When a project is selected by a user, the content management system can generate project view that presents various project items associated with the project in a convenient and easy to access graphical user interface.