Obvious/Help Center

Create a Template in the UI

Published March 7, 2026 · Last updated March 7, 2026 · 5 min read

This guide walks you through saving any project as a reusable template directly from the Obvious dashboard — no code required.

Templates let you package a project's artifacts, files, tasks, and structure into a starting point others can use. Your original project isn't affected.

Quickest way: ask the agent

Save this project as a workspace template called "Sales Pipeline Starter"

The agent opens the template wizard, fills in the details, and publishes it. Review and adjust from there.

To create one manually, follow the steps below.

Before you start

You need access to the project with template creation enabled. Any role — including Viewer — can create a template if template permissions are on. Update existing requires Editor access or above.

If you don't see the Template option in the menu, check with your workspace admin.

Step 1: Open the project menu

Open the project you want to save as a template.

In the top-right corner of the project header, click the ⋯ (more options) menu. Select Template, then choose Create new from the submenu.

The Create a template from [your project name] modal opens at Step 1 of 3. The modal title shows your project name.

Step 2: Fill in the template details

Complete the fields on the Info step:

  1. Name — Enter a clear, descriptive name for your template. This is what people see when browsing the template library. Defaults to your project name.
  2. Category — Select a category from the dropdown (for example, Sales, Marketing, Operations). Categories help others discover your template.
  3. Summary — Write a short description of what this template is for. Keep it to one or two sentences. You can also click Generate with AI to auto-generate a summary from your project content.
  4. Thumbnail — Upload an optional cover image. If you skip this, Obvious generates one automatically.
  5. Visibility — Choose who can use the template:
    • Private — Only you can see and use it.
    • Workspace — Everyone in your workspace can use it.
    • Team — Visible to one or more specific teams you select.

When your details look good, click Next.

Step 3: Choose what to include

The Selection step shows everything in your project — artifacts, files, and tasks — with all items selected by default. Use the tabs to review and adjust each category.

  • Artifacts — Toggle individual documents, workbooks, views, and other artifacts on or off. Use the search bar to find specific items.
  • Files — Deselect any uploaded files you don't want in the template.
  • Tasks — Include or exclude saved task workflows.
  • Project data — A separate tab alongside Artifacts, Files, and Tasks. Toggle any of the following:

    • Folder structure — Preserve folders and organize artifacts inside.

    • Table data — Copy data from sheets, not just the structure.

    • Validations — Copy sheet validations.

    • Project Summary — Copy the Project's README into the new project created from this template.

    • Project context — Copy project settings and metadata.

    • Starter Prompt — Automatically start a conversation when someone creates a project from this template. Toggle it on, then choose:

      • Agent greets user — The agent sends the first message to welcome the user.
      • Pre-filled prompt — A message appears as if from the user, and the agent responds immediately.

      Write the message in the text field that appears (up to 2,000 characters).

Once you've made your selections, click Next.

Step 4: Configure auto-share (optional)

The Auto-share step lets you set up automatic sharing rules. When someone creates a project from your template, Obvious can automatically share that project with specific people or teams.

This step is optional. If you don't need auto-share rules, click Create template to finish.

What happens next

Obvious saves and publishes your template in the background. When it's ready, a confirmation appears. Click View templates to go directly to the template library, where your new template appears under your selected category.

From there, anyone with access can create a new project from it.

Updating an existing template

If you've already saved a template from this project and want to refresh it with your latest changes:

  1. Click ⋯ in the project header.
  2. Select Template, then Update existing.
  3. Pick the template you want to update from the list.
  4. Follow the same steps as above. You can optionally add a Change note to describe what changed in this version.

Troubleshooting

The Template option doesn't appear in the menu. Template creation requires template permissions to be enabled on your account. Contact your workspace admin to confirm your permissions.

The Create template button is disabled. The template requires at least one artifact, file, or task to be selected. Return to the Selection step and make sure at least one item is toggled on.

Template creation seems stuck. Template saving runs in the background and can take a moment for large projects. Keep the tab open until the confirmation appears. If it doesn't appear after a few minutes, refresh the page and check the template library to see if the template was created.

For further help, email help@obvious.ai.

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