# Associate a thing type with a thing
<a name="associate-thing-type"></a>

You can use the **CreateThing** command to specify a thing type when you create a thing:

```
$ aws iot create-thing --thing-name "MyLightBulb" --thing-type-name "LightBulb" --attribute-payload "{\"attributes\": {\"wattage\":\"75\", \"model\":\"123\"}}"
```

You can use the **UpdateThing** command at any time to change the thing type associated with a thing:

```
$ aws iot update-thing --thing-name "MyLightBulb"
                --thing-type-name "LightBulb" --attribute-payload  "{\"attributes\": {\"wattage\":\"75\", \"model\":\"123\"}}"
```

You can also use the **UpdateThing** command to disassociate a thing from a thing type.