---
key: create-an-agreement-template
title: Create an agreement template
audience: staff
section: agreements
routes: ["/agreements/templates"]
permissions: ["agreements.templates.update"]
features: ["agreements.templates"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Build the reusable layout of an agreement from clauses, text, price lists and signature blocks, then lock the version so every agreement you send starts from the same document.
keywords: [contract template, service agreement template, reusable agreement, document layout, lock version, publish template]
related: [create-a-clause, create-an-agreement, find-an-agreement]
---

In the sidebar, open **Settings**, then choose **Agreement Templates** under **Agreements**. The page address is `/agreements/templates`. The heading reads **Agreement Templates**. A template is the reusable layout of an agreement, built from clauses and fill-in details, so every service agreement you send starts from the same document.

## Before you start

- Viewing needs permission to view templates. Creating one needs the template create permission, editing needs the template update permission, and locking a version needs the template publish permission.
- Write the clauses first if you want to reuse them across templates: see [[create-a-clause]].
- A locked version never changes. To reword it, make an editable copy, edit that, and lock it. Agreements already sent keep the version they were built on.

## Steps

1. Press **New template**. The **New agreement template** drawer opens.
2. Type a **Name** such as "Standard service agreement".
3. Choose **What kind of agreement?**: **Service agreement** for ongoing work terms, **Quote** for a priced offer, **Contract** for a signed long-term deal, or **Other**. You can change it later.
4. Optionally pick or type a **Group** to keep similar templates together, such as "Installs".
5. Press **Create template**. Nova saves a draft and opens the template editor.
6. In the editor, press **Add a block** and choose what to add: **Text**, **Price list**, **Picture**, **Attached file**, **Signature**, a **Section** or **Columns**, or **Saved clause** to insert a published clause. Press **Add a detail** to add a fill-in such as the customer's name. The document builds as you go. Press **Save** as you work.
7. When the document is right, press **Save & lock this version** and confirm with **Save & lock**. The template can now be chosen when creating an agreement.

## What you see

- The table lists every template with its **Type**, **Status**, **Composition** (how many clauses and fill-in details it holds) and **Updated** date. Each row's menu offers **Open detail**, **View history** and, when there is a draft, **Open editor**.
- Filter by **Status** (**Draft**, **Active**, **Deprecated** or **Archived**) and **Publish State** (**Has draft** or **Has published version**), or search by name, key, merge field or category.
- **Open detail** and **View history** open in a drawer over the list, so you can review a template without leaving the page.
- **PDF templates** at the top goes to reusable uploaded-PDF packets, which are a different thing: a finished PDF with signature fields placed on it.

## If something looks different

- **New template** is missing: your role cannot create templates.
- The editor shows **This template is locked**: there is no draft to edit. Press **Make an editable copy** to start one.
- **Save & lock this version** is greyed out: save your edits first. The status chip in the editor reads **Unsaved changes** until you do, and **Can't save yet** while something required is missing.
- You want to send an agreement built from a template: see [[create-an-agreement]].

[[route:/agreements/templates|Open Templates]]