> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bono.network/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates

> Create, manage, and use document templates for consistent contract drafting

## Overview

Templates let you save documents as reusable starting points for future contracts. Instead of drafting similar agreements from scratch each time, start from a template that already has your preferred structure and language.

## Template Types

### Public Templates

<Warning>
  Public Templates is currently in **technical preview**. The template library is being expanded and features may change.
</Warning>

Pre-built templates available to all Arbiter users:

* Standard NDAs
* Common services agreements
* Employment contracts
* Basic lease agreements
* Consulting agreements

<Info>
  Public templates are maintained by Arbiter and updated regularly to reflect best practices.
</Info>

### Private Templates

Templates you create for your own use:

* Your firm's preferred contract forms
* Client-specific templates
* Jurisdiction-specific versions
* Industry-specific agreements

### Organization Templates

Templates shared across your team (if in organization mode):

* Firm-wide standard forms
* Approved clause libraries
* Matter-specific templates
* Client template sets

## Accessing the Template Library

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Template Library">
    Click "Template Library" in the sidebar, or access from New Document menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse Categories">
    Filter by:

    * Public / Private / Organization
    * Document type (NDA, Services, Employment, etc.)
    * Jurisdiction
    * Language
    * Sector/Industry
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview Template">
    Click any template to preview its contents and metadata
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Template">
    Click "Use Template" to create a new document from it
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Using a Template

When you select a template:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create New Document">
    A new document is created with the template's content
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize">
    Edit the content for your specific use case:

    * Replace placeholder parties
    * Adjust terms and values
    * Add or remove sections
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Document">
    Save as a regular document, separate from the template
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Templates don't change when you edit documents created from them. Feel free to modify heavily. The original template stays intact.
</Tip>

## Creating Your Own Templates

### From an Existing Document

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare Your Document">
    Create or open a document you want to template
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generalize Content">
    Consider replacing specific details with placeholders:

    * "\[Party A Name]" instead of actual company name
    * "\[Effective Date]" instead of specific date
    * "\[\$ Amount]" for values
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save as Template">
    From the document menu, click "Save as Template"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Metadata">
    Fill in template details:

    * Template name
    * Description
    * Document type
    * Jurisdiction (if applicable)
    * Language
    * Sector/Industry
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Visibility">
    * **Private** - Only you can use this template
    * **Organization** - Shared with your team (if in org mode)
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Template Metadata

Good metadata helps you find templates later:

| Field            | Purpose              | Example                                                    |
| ---------------- | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**         | Quick identification | "Standard NDA - California"                                |
| **Description**  | What it's for        | "Mutual NDA for tech company partnerships, California law" |
| **Type**         | Document category    | NDA, Services, Employment                                  |
| **Jurisdiction** | Governing law        | California, Delaware, New York                             |
| **Language**     | Document language    | English, Spanish, French                                   |
| **Sector**       | Industry focus       | Technology, Healthcare, Finance                            |

## Managing Templates

### Editing Templates

To update a template:

1. Open Template Library
2. Find your template
3. Click "Edit Template"
4. Make changes
5. Save

<Warning>
  Editing a template doesn't affect documents already created from it. Only future uses will have the updated content.
</Warning>

### Deleting Templates

1. Open Template Library
2. Find your template
3. Click the menu (three dots)
4. Select "Delete Template"
5. Confirm deletion

<Warning>
  Deletion is permanent. Documents created from the template are not affected.
</Warning>

### Template Versions

Templates don't have automatic versioning, but you can:

* Create new templates with version numbers ("NDA v2", "NDA v3")
* Keep old versions as separate templates
* Use descriptions to note what changed

## Organization Templates

### Creating Organization Templates

If you're an admin or owner:

1. Create a document with your standard language
2. Save as Template
3. Select "Organization" visibility
4. Add metadata to help team members find it

### Using Organization Templates

Team members can:

* Access all organization templates
* Create documents from them
* Cannot edit organization templates (unless admin)

### Template Governance

<Card title="Designate Template Owners" icon="user-shield">
  Assign specific team members as template owners responsible for maintenance and updates.
</Card>

<Card title="Document Approval Process" icon="clipboard-check">
  Establish a review process before templates become "official" organization templates.
</Card>

<Card title="Version Control in Names" icon="code-branch">
  Include version info in template names: "Services Agreement - v3.2 (2025)"
</Card>

## Best Practices

<Card title="Keep Templates Current" icon="arrows-rotate">
  Review templates quarterly to ensure they reflect current law and best practices.
</Card>

<Card title="Use Clear Naming" icon="tag">
  Descriptive names save time: "NDA - Mutual - California - Tech Industry" is better than "NDA 1"
</Card>

<Card title="Include Placeholders" icon="brackets-curly">
  Use consistent placeholder format: \[Party Name], \[Date], \[\$ Amount]. This makes find-and-replace easy.
</Card>

<Card title="Add Usage Notes" icon="note-sticky">
  Include notes in the description about when to use the template and any customization guidance.
</Card>

## Templates with AutoDrafter

Combine templates with AutoDrafter:

1. Use a template that provides structure/headings
2. Enable AutoDrafter to generate content
3. Template ensures consistent section organization
4. AutoDrafter fills in tailored language

This is powerful for:

* Maintaining firm-wide structure
* Adding custom content to standard forms
* Quickly creating first drafts from skeletal templates

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can't find my template">
    * Check if you're filtering by the right category
    * Clear all filters and search by name
    * Verify you're in the correct mode (Personal vs. Organization)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can't create organization templates">
    * Verify you're in organization mode
    * Check your role (must be Admin or Owner)
    * Ensure organization subscription is active
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Template content appears different">
    * Templates may have been updated
    * Check the template's last modified date
    * Documents aren't affected by template updates
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Document Drafter" icon="pen-to-square" href="/guides/document-drafter">
    Draft contracts from scratch
  </Card>

  <Card title="AutoDrafter" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/guides/autodrafter">
    Automatic section generation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>