This special issue discusses current progress in the utilization of defect centres in diamond as spin-photon interfaces for quantum applications. This issue is based on the discussions of the Theo Murphy meeting 'Diamond for quantum applications' which covered the recent progress of diamond growth and engineering for the creation and optimization of colour centres, toward the integration of diamond-based qubits in quantum systems. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Diamond for quantum applications'.
Keywords: colour centres; diamonds; quantum systems.