---
key: create-a-checklist-template
title: Create a checklist template
audience: staff
section: settings/templates
routes: ["/settings/org/templates/checklists", "/settings/org/templates/checklists/new", "/settings/org/templates/checklists/:templateUid"]
permissions: ["checklists.read"]
features: ["settings.org.checklist-templates"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Build a reusable checklist of steps for a work order, asset or other record, add each item with its answer type and whether it is required, then publish the version technicians will use.
keywords: [checklist, inspection list, safety checklist, closeout checklist, work steps, pass fail, technician checklist, pre-start checklist, maintenance checklist]
related: [find-blocked-and-overdue-checklists, create-a-work-order, record-field-work-on-an-asset, create-a-task-template]
---

In the sidebar, open **Settings**, then choose **Checklist Templates** under **Templates**. The page address is `/settings/org/templates/checklists`. A new template opens at `/settings/org/templates/checklists/new`.

A checklist template has a draft version you edit and a published version that gets attached to work. Publishing freezes the items; a checklist already on a work order keeps the version it started with.

## Before you start

- Your role needs permission to read checklists to see the page, and permission to manage checklist templates to create, edit or publish one. Without it, **New** is missing.
- Decide what the checklist is for. The **Owner type** limits where it can be attached, such as **Work order**, **Service asset** or **Booking**. **Any owner** lets it go anywhere.

## Steps

1. Press **New** above the list on the left. The **Create checklist template** form opens.
2. Type a **Key** (a short id with no spaces) and a **Name**.
3. Pick an **Owner type**, a **Branch scope** if the checklist belongs to one branch (**Global template** otherwise), and a **Category**. Add **Tags** and a **Description** if useful.
4. Press **Create template**. The template opens with an empty **Draft version**.
5. Under **Draft version**, fill in **Add item**: the **Item** prompt the technician reads, a short key with no spaces in the box under it, a **Response** type (**Boolean / pass-fail**, **Text**, **Number**, **Select**, **Date** and so on), whether it is **Required**, and whether a failed item **Blocks completion**. For **Select**, list the choices one per line as `key|Label`. Add a **Description** if needed. Press **Add item**.
6. Repeat for every step. Use the arrows on an item to move it up or down. Press **Save** on an item after editing it, or **Delete** to remove it.
7. Press **Publish** at the top of the versions panel. The items move to **Published version** and the template is ready to attach.

To change a published checklist, press **New draft**. Nova copies the published items into a new draft you can edit, then **Publish** again when done.

## What you see

- The list on the left has **Search** and filters for **Status**, **Owner** and **Category**. **Select a checklist template or create a new one.** shows until you pick one.
- **Template metadata** holds the name, owner type, category, status and tags. It saves with **Save metadata** and can only be changed while a draft exists.
- **Draft version** and **Published version** sit side by side to compare what is live with your changes.
- **Requirement policies** below the versions is where an admin makes a checklist mandatory before a workflow action, such as closing a work order.
- **Archive** under the metadata retires the template. Checklists already in progress are not affected.

## If something looks different

- **New** is missing: your role cannot manage templates. Ask your admin.
- **Publish** is off: the draft has no items yet. Add at least one.
- Fields under **Template metadata** are greyed out with a note about creating a draft: press **New draft** first.
- A technician sees old items: their checklist was created from an earlier version. New checklists use the latest published version.

[[route:/settings/org/templates/checklists|Open Checklist Templates]]