Creating Templates

Templates are reusable document structures written in Markdown with dynamic variables. Create a template once, then generate unlimited contracts from it.

Create a New Template

  1. Go to Templates in your dashboard
  2. Click Create Template
  3. Choose how to start:
    • Blank Template: an empty document
    • Browse Template Library: pick a ready-made agreement. Search by name or browse by category.
    • Import Document: upload a Word .docx file
  4. Type a name in the title field at the top of the editor
  5. Write or edit the content, then click Save Changes

The Editor

The left side has two tabs, with a live preview on the right:

  • Text: the template's Markdown. Paste or drop an image to upload and insert it.
  • Variables: who completes each variable and what type of field it is

The preview updates as you type and shows each variable as the field it will become.

Template Editor

Writing Template Content

Templates use Markdown for formatting:

# Service Agreement

This agreement is between **{{client_name}}** and **{{provider_name}}**.

## Scope of Work

{{scope_description}}

## Payment Terms

- Total amount: {{total_amount}}
- Due date: {{due_date}}

---

**Client Signature:** {{client_signature}}

**Provider Signature:** {{provider_signature}}

Headings, bold, italics, strikethrough, lists, links, tables, horizontal rules and images (paste or drop them into the editor) all work, and single line breaks are kept. The Writing Guide has the syntax for each and advice on structuring a contract.

Adding Variables

Put a variable in double curly braces wherever the text changes per contract, such as {{client_name}} or {{total_amount}}. Then open the Variables tab to check who fills each one in (you, when creating the contract, or the signer) and what kind of input it gets. Both are guessed from the name; the rules are in Template Variables.

Variable Names

Use letters, numbers and underscores, such as {{client_name}} or {{CLIENT_NAME}}. Don't use spaces. A name with a space isn't recognized as a field.

Adding Signature Fields

Signature fields are variables completed by the signer:

{{client_signature}}
{{provider_signature}}

A name with the word signature in it is set up as a Signature completed by the Signer automatically. A template can't be saved until it has at least one.

When a signer opens the contract, each signature field becomes a Click to sign box they draw in. If more than one person will sign, give each their own signature field. You assign fields to signers when you create the contract.

Importing Word Documents

Already have contracts in Word format? Upload them directly:

  1. Click Create Template, then Import Document
  2. Select your .docx file. Older .doc files aren't supported; open them in Word and save as .docx first.
  3. The content is converted to Markdown and opens in the editor, named after the file
  4. Replace the blanks with {{variables}}, check the Variables tab, and save

Headings, bold, italics, lists, tables and images carry over. Underlining is dropped but the text is kept. For a one-off contract, you can also upload a .docx straight into the contract wizard without making a template.

Starting From the Library

Library templates come with variables already in place, and their settings are guessed from each name (see Auto-Detection). Check the Variables tab before saving, especially which signer completes each field.

The same templates can be browsed publicly at /templates.

AI Writing Assistant

Click the assistant button in the editor to open Gilberto, the AI writing assistant. It has three modes:

  • Draft: write new content, such as a signature block or terms section
  • Edit: rewrite what you have (more formal, simpler) or suggest where to add variables
  • Review: check for clarity issues, variable problems and missing sections, with a score out of 100

Apply a suggestion with Insert at cursor or Replace all, then click Save Changes. Review its output as you would any draft.

Preview and Test

The live preview shows how the document will look. To test the full flow:

  1. Create a contract from the template with Send as a test ticked
  2. Send it. The signing email comes to you instead of the signer and nothing is charged.
  3. Sign it and check that every field shows correctly in the signed PDF, which is stamped TEST

Test First

Always test your template with a sample contract before sending to real clients.

Deleting a Template

The trash icon in the editor removes the template from your list. Contracts already created from it are not affected.

Next Steps