Create an agreement template

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.

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.

Open Templates