Documentation Index
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Purpose: Help developers and AI agents choose the correct template type for their use case.
Last Updated: 2026-02-01
Quick Decision
| I need to create… | Use This Template Type | Spec/Location |
|---|
| Reusable automation workflow | Workflow Template | FW-28 |
| Printable PDF (policy, letter, report) | Document Template | PF-64 |
| Reusable form structure | Form Template | FW-01 |
| Configurable business wizard | Wizard Template | PF-41 |
| Specification document | Spec Template | Template Index |
Decision Tree
I need to create a template for:
│
├─ AUTOMATING WORKFLOWS?
│ │
│ └─ YES → Workflow Template (FW-28)
│ └─ Creates: Reusable automation patterns
│ └─ Storage: fw_workflow_templates
│
├─ GENERATING PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS?
│ │
│ ├─ Is it a policy, procedure, letter, or report?
│ │ │
│ │ └─ YES → Document Template (PF-64)
│ │ └─ Creates: PDF with letterhead and sections
│ │ └─ Storage: pf_document_templates
│ │
│ └─ Is it a form to fill out?
│ │
│ └─ YES → Not a template issue - use Form Builder (FW-01)
│
├─ CREATING REUSABLE FORM STRUCTURES?
│ │
│ └─ YES → Form Template (FW-01)
│ └─ Creates: Clonable form definition
│ └─ Storage: fw_forms (is_template=true)
│
├─ CONFIGURING BUSINESS WIZARDS?
│ │
│ └─ YES → Wizard Template (PF-41)
│ └─ Creates: Module wizard configuration
│ └─ Storage: pf_wizard_templates
│
└─ WRITING DOCUMENTATION?
│
└─ YES → Spec Template (specs/_templates/)
└─ Creates: Markdown specification
└─ Storage: File system only
Template Types Explained
1. Workflow Template (FW-28)
What it is: Pre-built workflow automation pattern that can be cloned and customized.
Best for:
- ✅ Employee onboarding automation
- ✅ Invoice approval workflows
- ✅ Incident response automation
- ✅ Notification sequences
Storage: fw_workflow_templates table
Key features:
- Visual workflow builder integration
- Template marketplace for sharing
- Template parameterization
- Version tracking
- Usage statistics
Example:
"Employee Onboarding Workflow" template:
├─ Trigger: Employee created
├─ Action: Send welcome email
├─ Action: Create Slack channel
├─ Action: Assign training tasks
└─ Action: Schedule 30-day check-in
2. Document Template (PF-64)
What it is: Structure template for printable documents with letterhead, sections, and approval chains.
Best for:
- ✅ Policies (CARF/HIPAA-aligned sections)
- ✅ Procedures (step layout, verification blocks)
- ✅ Business letters (letterhead, signature)
- ✅ Report covers (title page, confidentiality)
- ✅ Offer letters (HR documents)
Storage: pf_document_templates, pf_letterheads tables
Key features:
- Letterhead management (logo, address, branding)
- Section configuration (required/optional)
- Approval chain templates
- Version history
- PDF generation via edge function
Example:
"Healthcare Policy Template":
├─ Letterhead: Organization branding
├─ Sections: Purpose, Scope, Policy Statement, Compliance
├─ Numbering: POL-26-001
├─ Approval Block: 3 signature lines
└─ Footer: Confidentiality notice, page numbers
What it is: Form definition marked as a template that can be cloned to create new forms.
Best for:
- ✅ Standardized incident reports
- ✅ Assessment form patterns
- ✅ Survey templates
- ✅ Intake form structures
Storage: fw_forms table with settings.is_template=true
Key features:
- Clone to create new form
- Preserves field structure and validation
- Organization-specific templates
- Quick-start for common form types
Example:
"Incident Report Template":
├─ Page 1: Incident Details (date, time, location)
├─ Page 2: Involved Parties (names, roles)
├─ Page 3: Description (narrative, contributing factors)
└─ Page 4: Actions Taken (immediate, follow-up)
4. Wizard Template (PF-41)
What it is: Configurable wizard definition for module-specific business processes.
Best for:
- ✅ Employee onboarding wizard
- ✅ Resident admission wizard
- ✅ Payroll run wizard
- ✅ Organization setup wizard
Storage: pf_wizard_templates table
Key features:
- System templates (defaults)
- Organization customization
- Custom step components
- Visibility conditions
- Validation rules per step
Example:
"Employee Onboarding Wizard Template":
├─ Step 1: Personal Information (form)
├─ Step 2: Employment Details (form)
├─ Step 3: Credentials Setup (custom component)
├─ Step 4: System Access (custom component)
└─ Step 5: Review & Complete (review)
5. Spec Template (Developer)
What it is: Markdown template for writing specifications and documentation.
Best for:
- ✅ Feature specifications
- ✅ Implementation plans
- ✅ Task breakdowns
- ✅ Wizard UX specs
- ✅ Document template specs
Storage: specs/_templates/ directory (file system only)
Key templates:
SPEC_TEMPLATE.md - Complex features
SPEC_TEMPLATE_LITE.md - Simple features
WIZARD_SPEC_TEMPLATE.md - Module wizards
DOCUMENT_TEMPLATE_SPEC.md - Printable documents
TASKS_TEMPLATE.md - Task breakdown
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Workflow | Document | Form | Wizard | Spec |
|---|
| Purpose | Automation | Printable PDF | Data capture | Business process | Documentation |
| Storage | Database | Database | Database | Database | File system |
| Output | Workflow rules | PDF files | New forms | Wizard config | Markdown |
| Marketplace | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Phase 3 | ❌ No |
| Versioning | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Phase 2 | Git |
| Org-specific | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Common Mistakes
❌ Using Workflow Template for Documents
Wrong: Creating a workflow template to generate PDF policies
Problem: Workflow templates define automation logic, not document structure
Solution: Use Document Template (PF-64) for printable documents
❌ Using Document Template for Automation
Wrong: Trying to automate approval flow using document templates
Problem: Document templates define structure, not automation
Solution:
- Use Document Template (PF-64) for the document structure
- Use Approval Chain Template (also in PF-64) for approval workflow
- Or use Workflow Template (FW-28) for complex automation
Wrong: Creating a form template to generate a policy document
Problem: Forms are for data capture, not document generation
Solution: Use Document Template (PF-64) for printable documents
❌ Confusing Spec Templates with Document Templates
Wrong: Using DOCUMENT_TEMPLATE_SPEC.md to create a policy (instead of defining a policy template)
Problem:
- Spec templates are for writing specifications
- Document templates are for defining printable document structures
Solution:
- Use DOCUMENT_TEMPLATE_SPEC.md to write a spec for a new document template
- Use PF-64 API to create the actual document template
Integration Matrix
| Template Type | Integrates With |
|---|
| Workflow Template | FW-06 (Workflow Builder), FW-03 (Automation Engine) |
| Document Template | PF-11 (Documents), PF-10 (Notifications), GR-01 (Policies) |
| Form Template | FW-01 (Form Builder), FW-05 (Multi-Page Forms) |
| Wizard Template | PF-41 (Module Wizards), Module step registries |
| Spec Template | Developer documentation, AI agents |
Forms (FW) capture data. Document Templates (PF-64) format printable documents. To export a form submission as a PDF:
- Quick Export: Open any submission at
/fw/submissions/:id and click “Download PDF” for an instant export
- Branded Export: Click “Export with Letterhead” to choose your organization’s letterhead and formatting
- Signed Export: If the form has signature fields (FW-33), use “Signed PDF” to include captured signatures
| You Want To… | Use This |
|---|
| Collect data from users | Form (FW-01) |
| Create a professional printable document | Document Template (PF-64) |
| Collect data AND generate a nice PDF from it | Form (FW-01) + Letterhead (PF-64) |
| Define standard policy/procedure format | Document Template (PF-64) |
| Create a reusable data entry form | Form Template (FW-01, is_template=true) |
“Where do I manage templates?”
| Template Type | Location |
|---|
| Letterheads & Document Templates | Settings → Templates (/settings/templates) |
| Workflow Automation Templates | Forms & Workflow → Templates (/fw/templates) |
| Form Templates (reusable forms) | Forms & Workflow → Form Templates (/fw/form-templates) |
| Wizard Templates | Forms & Workflow → Wizards (/fw/wizards) |
Last Updated: 2026-02-05