> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.workflowmachine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates

> Learn what workflow templates are, how they help you move faster, and when to use them instead of starting from scratch.

## What a template is

A template is a reusable starting point for a workflow. You can browse available options in the [Templates](https://app.workflowmachine.com/templates) page.

Instead of building from a blank editor, you can begin with a prepared structure that already includes a use case, a trigger pattern, or a step sequence.

## Why templates are useful

Templates help in two main ways:

* they save setup time
* they show you how a workflow can be structured

That makes them useful both for new users and for experienced users who want to launch common automations faster.

## What templates are good for

Templates are especially helpful when:

* you want to automate a common business workflow
* you need a fast starting point
* you want to learn from a working example
* you are not sure how to structure the trigger and step sequence yet

Examples include notifications, summaries, lead routing, spreadsheet logging, and content workflows.

## What templates do not replace

A template is still a starting point, not a finished deployment.

You usually still need to:

* connect your own app accounts
* choose the right destinations
* update prompts or field mappings
* test before publishing

In other words, templates reduce setup work, but they do not remove the need for review.

## When to use a template

Use a template when speed matters more than starting from a blank page.

Templates are a strong choice when:

* the workflow pattern is common
* you want to avoid repetitive setup
* the use case already resembles something the template covers

## When to start from scratch

Start from scratch when:

* your process is highly specific
* you want to learn every part of the workflow directly
* the available templates are more complex than your actual need

There is no wrong choice here. Templates are just one way to begin.

## A good way to use templates

The best workflow habit is:

1. choose the closest matching template
2. simplify it if needed
3. connect your own apps
4. run a test
5. publish only after you understand the flow

That keeps templates useful without turning them into black boxes.