diff --git a/snapcraft/cli.py b/snapcraft/cli.py
index 98d890ceeb..361ad8ed03 100644
--- a/snapcraft/cli.py
+++ b/snapcraft/cli.py
@@ -151,7 +151,6 @@
         "Other",
         [
             commands.LintCommand,
-            commands.InitCommand,
         ],
     ),
 ]
diff --git a/snapcraft/commands/__init__.py b/snapcraft/commands/__init__.py
index b1a8cdc5eb..f3ee75220f 100644
--- a/snapcraft/commands/__init__.py
+++ b/snapcraft/commands/__init__.py
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
     ExtensionsCommand,
     ListExtensionsCommand,
 )
-from .init import InitCommand
 from .legacy import (
     StoreLegacyCreateKeyCommand,
     StoreLegacyGatedCommand,
@@ -67,7 +66,6 @@
 __all__ = [
     "ExpandExtensionsCommand",
     "ExtensionsCommand",
-    "InitCommand",
     "LintCommand",
     "ListExtensionsCommand",
     "ListPluginsCommand",
diff --git a/snapcraft/commands/init.py b/snapcraft/commands/init.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 89dac23186..0000000000
--- a/snapcraft/commands/init.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,59 +0,0 @@
-# -*- Mode:Python; indent-tabs-mode:nil; tab-width:4 -*-
-#
-# Copyright 2023-2024 Canonical Ltd.
-#
-# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 3 as
-# published by the Free Software Foundation.
-#
-# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-# GNU General Public License for more details.
-#
-# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-
-"""Snapcraft init command."""
-
-import argparse
-
-import craft_application.commands
-import craft_cli
-from typing_extensions import override
-
-from snapcraft import errors
-from snapcraft.parts.yaml_utils import get_snap_project
-
-
-class InitCommand(craft_application.commands.InitCommand):
-    """Snapcraft init command."""
-
-    @override
-    def run(self, parsed_args: argparse.Namespace) -> None:
-        """Pack a directory or run the lifecycle and pack all artifacts."""
-        project_dir = self._get_project_dir(parsed_args)
-
-        if parsed_args.name:
-            craft_cli.emit.progress(
-                "Ignoring '--name' parameter because it is not supported yet.",
-                permanent=True,
-            )
-
-        try:
-            craft_cli.emit.progress("Checking for an existing 'snapcraft.yaml'.")
-            project = get_snap_project(project_dir)
-            raise errors.SnapcraftError(
-                "could not initialise a new snapcraft project because "
-                f"{str(project.project_file)!r} already exists"
-            )
-            # the `ProjectMissing` error means a new project can be initialized
-        except errors.ProjectMissing:
-            craft_cli.emit.progress("Could not find an existing 'snapcraft.yaml'.")
-
-        super().run(parsed_args)
-
-        craft_cli.emit.message(
-            "Go to https://docs.snapcraft.io/the-snapcraft-format/8337 for more "
-            "information about the snapcraft.yaml format."
-        )
diff --git a/snapcraft/models/project.py b/snapcraft/models/project.py
index 0b2b0bee59..31a363313d 100644
--- a/snapcraft/models/project.py
+++ b/snapcraft/models/project.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ def _validate_version_name(version: str, model_name: str) -> None:
         )
 
 
-def _validate_name(*, name: str, field_name: str) -> str:
+def validate_name(*, name: str, field_name: str) -> str:
     """Validate a name.
 
     :param name: The name to validate.
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ def _validate_component(name: str) -> str:
         raise ValueError(
             "component names cannot start with the reserved prefix 'snap-'"
         )
-    return _validate_name(name=name, field_name="component")
+    return validate_name(name=name, field_name="component")
 
 
 def _get_partitions_from_components(
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ def _validate_mandatory_base(self):
     @pydantic.field_validator("name")
     @classmethod
     def _validate_snap_name(cls, name):
-        return _validate_name(name=name, field_name="snap")
+        return validate_name(name=name, field_name="snap")
 
     @pydantic.field_validator("components")
     @classmethod
diff --git a/snapcraft/services/__init__.py b/snapcraft/services/__init__.py
index 746d7dbafb..055e32006a 100644
--- a/snapcraft/services/__init__.py
+++ b/snapcraft/services/__init__.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 """Snapcraft services."""
 
 from snapcraft.services.assertions import Assertion
+from snapcraft.services.init import Init
 from snapcraft.services.lifecycle import Lifecycle
 from snapcraft.services.package import Package
 from snapcraft.services.provider import Provider
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@
 
 __all__ = [
     "Assertion",
+    "Init",
     "Lifecycle",
     "Package",
     "Provider",
diff --git a/snapcraft/services/init.py b/snapcraft/services/init.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..92c079c162
--- /dev/null
+++ b/snapcraft/services/init.py
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+# -*- Mode:Python; indent-tabs-mode:nil; tab-width:4 -*-
+#
+# Copyright 2024 Canonical Ltd.
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 3 as
+# published by the Free Software Foundation.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+"""Service for initializing a project."""
+
+import pathlib
+
+import craft_cli
+from craft_application import services
+from typing_extensions import override
+
+from snapcraft import errors
+from snapcraft.models.project import validate_name
+from snapcraft.parts.yaml_utils import get_snap_project
+
+
+class Init(services.InitService):
+    """Service class for initializing a project."""
+
+    @override
+    def initialise_project(
+        self,
+        *,
+        project_dir: pathlib.Path,
+        project_name: str,
+        template_dir: pathlib.Path,
+    ) -> None:
+        try:
+            validate_name(name=project_name, field_name="snap")
+            if len(project_name) > 40:
+                raise ValueError("snap names must be 40 characters or less")
+        except ValueError as err:
+            raise errors.SnapcraftError(
+                message=f"Invalid snap name {project_name!r}: {str(err)}.",
+                resolution="Provide a valid name with '--name' or rename the project directory.",
+            ) from err
+
+        super().initialise_project(
+            project_dir=project_dir,
+            project_name=project_name,
+            template_dir=template_dir,
+        )
+        craft_cli.emit.message(
+            "Go to https://docs.snapcraft.io/the-snapcraft-format/8337 for more "
+            "information about the snapcraft.yaml format."
+        )
+
+    @override
+    def check_for_existing_files(
+        self,
+        *,
+        project_dir: pathlib.Path,
+        template_dir: pathlib.Path,
+    ) -> None:
+        try:
+            craft_cli.emit.progress("Checking for an existing 'snapcraft.yaml'.")
+            project = get_snap_project(project_dir)
+            raise errors.SnapcraftError(
+                "Could not initialise a new snapcraft project because "
+                f"{str(project.project_file)!r} already exists"
+            )
+        # the `ProjectMissing` error means a new project can be initialised
+        except errors.ProjectMissing:
+            craft_cli.emit.progress("Could not find an existing 'snapcraft.yaml'.")
+
+        super().check_for_existing_files(
+            project_dir=project_dir,
+            template_dir=template_dir,
+        )
diff --git a/snapcraft/services/service_factory.py b/snapcraft/services/service_factory.py
index bbb9f0630f..0d51c74168 100644
--- a/snapcraft/services/service_factory.py
+++ b/snapcraft/services/service_factory.py
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ class SnapcraftServiceFactory(ServiceFactory):
     project: models.Project | None = None  # type: ignore[reportIncompatibleVariableOverride]
 
     # These are overrides of default ServiceFactory services
+    InitClass: type[services.Init] = (  # type: ignore[reportIncompatibleVariableOverride]
+        services.Init
+    )
     LifecycleClass: type[services.Lifecycle] = (  # type: ignore[reportIncompatibleVariableOverride]
         services.Lifecycle
     )
diff --git a/snapcraft/templates/simple/snap/snapcraft.yaml b/snapcraft/templates/simple/snap/snapcraft.yaml.j2
similarity index 90%
rename from snapcraft/templates/simple/snap/snapcraft.yaml
rename to snapcraft/templates/simple/snap/snapcraft.yaml.j2
index 4ef5b5f2d6..5b69f37f7f 100644
--- a/snapcraft/templates/simple/snap/snapcraft.yaml
+++ b/snapcraft/templates/simple/snap/snapcraft.yaml.j2
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-name: my-snap-name # you probably want to 'snapcraft register <name>'
+name: {{ name }} # you probably want to 'snapcraft register <name>'
 base: core24 # the base snap is the execution environment for this snap
 version: '0.1' # just for humans, typically '1.2+git' or '1.3.2'
 summary: Single-line elevator pitch for your amazing snap # 79 char long summary
diff --git a/tests/spread/general/init/task.yaml b/tests/spread/general/init/task.yaml
index 8c69c91b6e..e86e905028 100644
--- a/tests/spread/general/init/task.yaml
+++ b/tests/spread/general/init/task.yaml
@@ -1,23 +1,31 @@
 summary: Run snapcraft init
 
+systems: [ubuntu-22*]
+
 environment:
-  PROFILE/default_profile: null
-  PROFILE/simple_profile: simple
   PROFILE: null
-  PROJECT_DIR/default_dir: null
-  PROJECT_DIR/project_dir: test-project-dir
   PROJECT_DIR: null
+  NAME: null
+  PROFILE/default_profile: null
+  PROFILE/simple_profile: simple
+  NAME/with_name: test-snap-name
+  PROJECT_DIR/with_project_dir: test-project-dir
+  NAME/with_project_dir_and_name: test-snap-name
+  PROJECT_DIR/with_project_dir_and_name: test-project-dir
 
 restore: |
+  unset SNAPCRAFT_BUILD_ENVIRONMENT
+
   if [[ -n "$PROJECT_DIR" ]]; then
     cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
   fi
 
+  snapcraft clean
+
   rm -f ./*.snap
   rm -rf ./snap
 
 execute: |
-  # unset SNAPCRAFT_BUILD_ENVIRONMENT=host
   unset SNAPCRAFT_BUILD_ENVIRONMENT
 
   args=("init")
@@ -26,6 +34,10 @@ execute: |
     args+=("--profile" "$PROFILE")
   fi
 
+  if [[ -n "$NAME" ]]; then
+    args+=("--name" "$NAME")
+  fi
+
   if [[ -n "$PROJECT_DIR" ]]; then
     args+=("$PROJECT_DIR")
   fi
@@ -36,7 +48,13 @@ execute: |
     cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
   fi
 
-  # the base should be core24
+  if [[ -n "$NAME" ]]; then
+    expected_name="$NAME"
+  else
+    expected_name="$(basename "$PWD")"
+  fi
+
+  grep "^name: ${expected_name}" snap/snapcraft.yaml
   grep "^base: core24" snap/snapcraft.yaml
 
   # 'snapcraft init' should create a usable snapcraft.yaml file
diff --git a/tests/unit/commands/test_init.py b/tests/unit/commands/test_init.py
index d0c6c2e75c..eac92759ec 100644
--- a/tests/unit/commands/test_init.py
+++ b/tests/unit/commands/test_init.py
@@ -14,33 +14,61 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import os
 import pathlib
 import sys
-from pathlib import Path
 from textwrap import dedent
 
 import pytest
 
 from snapcraft import application
 from snapcraft.models.project import Project
-from snapcraft.parts.yaml_utils import _SNAP_PROJECT_FILES, apply_yaml, process_yaml
+from snapcraft.parts.yaml_utils import apply_yaml, process_yaml
 
 
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("profile", [None, "simple"])
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("name", [None, "test-snap-name"])
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("project_dir", [None, "test-project-dir"])
-def test_init_default(profile, name, project_dir, emitter, new_dir, mocker):
-    """Test the 'snapcraft init' command."""
+@pytest.fixture
+def valid_new_dir(tmp_path):
+    """Change to a new temporary directory whose name is a valid snap name."""
+    cwd = os.getcwd()
+    new_dir = tmp_path / "test-snap-name-dir"
+    new_dir.mkdir()
+    os.chdir(new_dir)
+
+    yield new_dir
+
+    os.chdir(cwd)
+
+
+def _create_command(
+    *,
+    profile: str | None = None,
+    project_dir: str | None = None,
+    name: str | None = None,
+):
+    """Build a snapcraft init command."""
     cmd = ["snapcraft", "init"]
     if profile:
         cmd.extend(["--profile", profile])
-    if name:
-        cmd.extend(["--name", name])
     if project_dir:
         cmd.append(project_dir)
-        snapcraft_yaml = pathlib.Path(project_dir) / "snap/snapcraft.yaml"
+    if name:
+        cmd.extend(["--name", name])
+    return cmd
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("profile", [None, "simple"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("name", [None, "test-snap-name"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("project_dir", [None, "test-project-dir"])
+def test_init_default(profile, name, project_dir, emitter, valid_new_dir, mocker):
+    """Test the 'snapcraft init' command."""
+    if name:
+        expected_name = name
+    elif project_dir:
+        expected_name = project_dir
     else:
-        snapcraft_yaml = Path("snap/snapcraft.yaml")
+        expected_name = str(valid_new_dir.name)
+    snapcraft_yaml = pathlib.Path(project_dir or valid_new_dir) / "snap/snapcraft.yaml"
+    cmd = _create_command(profile=profile, project_dir=project_dir, name=name)
     mocker.patch.object(sys, "argv", cmd)
     app = application.create_app()
 
@@ -52,7 +80,7 @@ def test_init_default(profile, name, project_dir, emitter, new_dir, mocker):
     project = Project.unmarshal(data)
     assert project == Project.unmarshal(
         {
-            "name": "my-snap-name",
+            "name": expected_name,
             "base": "core24",
             "version": "0.1",
             "summary": "Single-line elevator pitch for your amazing snap",
@@ -70,80 +98,10 @@ def test_init_default(profile, name, project_dir, emitter, new_dir, mocker):
             "platforms": {"amd64": {"build-on": "amd64", "build-for": "amd64"}},
         }
     )
-    if name:
-        emitter.assert_progress(
-            "Ignoring '--name' parameter because it is not supported yet.",
-            permanent=True,
-        )
     emitter.assert_progress("Checking for an existing 'snapcraft.yaml'.")
     emitter.assert_progress("Could not find an existing 'snapcraft.yaml'.")
-    emitter.assert_message("Successfully initialised project.")
     emitter.assert_message(
         "Go to https://docs.snapcraft.io/the-snapcraft-format/8337 for more "
         "information about the snapcraft.yaml format."
     )
-
-
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("profile", [None, "simple"])
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("name", [None, "test-snap-name"])
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("project_dir", [None, "test-project-dir"])
-def test_init_snap_dir_exists(profile, name, project_dir, emitter, new_dir, mocker):
-    """'snapcraft init' should work even if the 'snap/' directory already exists."""
-    cmd = ["snapcraft", "init"]
-    if profile:
-        cmd.extend(["--profile", profile])
-    if name:
-        cmd.extend(["--name", name])
-    if project_dir:
-        cmd.append(project_dir)
-        snapcraft_yaml = pathlib.Path(project_dir) / "snap/snapcraft.yaml"
-    else:
-        snapcraft_yaml = Path("snap/snapcraft.yaml")
-    snapcraft_yaml.parent.mkdir(parents=True)
-    mocker.patch.object(sys, "argv", cmd)
-    app = application.create_app()
-
-    app.run()
-
-    assert snapcraft_yaml.exists()
     emitter.assert_message("Successfully initialised project.")
-    emitter.assert_message(
-        "Go to https://docs.snapcraft.io/the-snapcraft-format/8337 for more "
-        "information about the snapcraft.yaml format."
-    )
-
-
-@pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "snapcraft_yaml", [project.project_file for project in _SNAP_PROJECT_FILES]
-)
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("profile", [None, "simple"])
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("name", [None, "test-snap-name"])
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("project_dir", [None, "test-project-dir"])
-def test_init_exists(
-    profile, name, project_dir, capsys, emitter, new_dir, snapcraft_yaml, mocker
-):
-    """Raise an error if a snapcraft.yaml file already exists."""
-    cmd = ["snapcraft", "init"]
-    if profile:
-        cmd.extend(["--profile", profile])
-    if name:
-        cmd.extend(["--name", name])
-    if project_dir:
-        cmd.append(project_dir)
-        snapcraft_yaml_path = pathlib.Path(project_dir) / snapcraft_yaml
-    else:
-        snapcraft_yaml_path = snapcraft_yaml
-    mocker.patch.object(sys, "argv", cmd)
-    snapcraft_yaml_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-    snapcraft_yaml_path.touch()
-    app = application.create_app()
-
-    app.run()
-
-    out, err = capsys.readouterr()
-    assert not out
-    assert (
-        "could not initialise a new snapcraft project because "
-        f"{str(snapcraft_yaml)!r} already exists"
-    ) in err
-    emitter.assert_progress("Checking for an existing 'snapcraft.yaml'.")
diff --git a/tests/unit/services/test_init.py b/tests/unit/services/test_init.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f073d2effd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/services/test_init.py
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+# -*- Mode:Python; indent-tabs-mode:nil; tab-width:4 -*-
+#
+#  Copyright 2024 Canonical Ltd.
+#
+#  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+#  under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3, as
+#  published by the Free Software Foundation.
+#
+#  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+#  ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranties of MERCHANTABILITY,
+#  SATISFACTORY QUALITY, or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
+#  See the GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+#
+#  You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+#  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+"""Tests for the init service."""
+
+import importlib.resources
+import pathlib
+
+import pytest
+
+from snapcraft import errors
+from snapcraft.parts.yaml_utils import _SNAP_PROJECT_FILES
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def init_service(default_factory):
+    from snapcraft.application import APP_METADATA
+    from snapcraft.services import Init
+
+    service = Init(app=APP_METADATA, services=default_factory)
+
+    return service
+
+
+def template_dir():
+    with importlib.resources.path("snapcraft", "templates") as _template_dir:
+        return _template_dir / "simple"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "name",
+    [
+        "name",
+        "name-with-dashes",
+        "name0123",
+        "0123name",
+        "a234567890123456789012345678901234567890",
+    ],
+)
+def test_init_valid_name(name, init_service, new_dir, emitter):
+    """Initialise a project with a valid snap name."""
+    init_service.initialise_project(
+        project_dir=new_dir, project_name=name, template_dir=template_dir()
+    )
+
+    assert (new_dir / "snap/snapcraft.yaml").exists()
+    emitter.assert_message(
+        "Go to https://docs.snapcraft.io/the-snapcraft-format/8337 for more "
+        "information about the snapcraft.yaml format."
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "name,error",
+    [
+        ("name_with_underscores", "snap names can only use"),
+        ("name-with-UPPERCASE", "snap names can only use"),
+        ("name with spaces", "snap names can only use"),
+        ("-name-starts-with-hyphen", "snap names cannot start with a hyphen"),
+        ("name-ends-with-hyphen-", "snap names cannot end with a hyphen"),
+        ("name-has--two-hyphens", "snap names cannot have two hyphens in a row"),
+        ("123456", "snap names can only use"),
+        (
+            "a2345678901234567890123456789012345678901",
+            "snap names must be 40 characters or less",
+        ),
+    ],
+)
+def test_init_invalid_name(name, error, init_service, new_dir):
+    """Error on invalid names."""
+    expected_error = f"Invalid snap name {name!r}: {error}."
+
+    with pytest.raises(errors.SnapcraftError, match=expected_error):
+        init_service.initialise_project(
+            project_dir=new_dir,
+            project_name=name,
+            template_dir=template_dir(),
+        )
+
+
+def test_init_snap_dir_exists(init_service, new_dir, emitter):
+    """Initialise a project even if the 'snap/' directory already exists."""
+    snapcraft_yaml = new_dir / "snap/snapcraft.yaml"
+    snapcraft_yaml.parent.mkdir(parents=True)
+
+    init_service.check_for_existing_files(
+        project_dir=new_dir, template_dir=template_dir()
+    )
+    init_service.initialise_project(
+        project_dir=new_dir, project_name="test-snap-name", template_dir=template_dir()
+    )
+
+    assert snapcraft_yaml.exists()
+    emitter.assert_message(
+        "Go to https://docs.snapcraft.io/the-snapcraft-format/8337 for more "
+        "information about the snapcraft.yaml format."
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "project_file", [project.project_file for project in _SNAP_PROJECT_FILES]
+)
+def test_init_exists(init_service, new_dir, project_file):
+    """Raise an error if a snapcraft.yaml file already exists."""
+    snapcraft_yaml = pathlib.Path(new_dir) / project_file
+    snapcraft_yaml.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    snapcraft_yaml.touch()
+    expected = (
+        "Could not initialise a new snapcraft project because "
+        f"{str(project_file)!r} already exists"
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(errors.SnapcraftError, match=expected):
+        init_service.check_for_existing_files(
+            project_dir=new_dir, template_dir=template_dir()
+        )