> ## 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 overview

> Understand what workflow templates are, when to use them, and how they help you launch automations faster.

## Why templates exist

Templates help you move faster when you already know the outcome you want. Browse [Templates](https://app.workflowmachine.com/templates) to explore available starting points.

Instead of starting with a blank workflow, you can begin from a prepared structure that already includes a trigger pattern, a useful step sequence, or a proven use case.

## What templates are good for

Templates work especially well when:

* you want a faster first win
* you want to learn from real workflow examples
* your use case is common enough to match an existing pattern

Typical examples include notifications, lead routing, AI summaries, spreadsheet logging, and scheduled digests.

## What templates are not

A template is not a finished deployment.

You still need to:

* connect your own apps
* choose the right destinations
* check the fields and mappings
* run tests before publishing

Templates reduce setup time, but they do not remove the need for review.

## When to use a template

Choose a template when speed matters more than designing every part from scratch.

Templates are a strong fit when:

* you already understand the business outcome
* you want a shortcut to a working structure
* you prefer learning by editing something real

## When to start from scratch

Start from scratch when:

* the workflow is highly specific
* the available templates feel too broad or too complex
* you want to learn the editor in a more hands-on way

Both approaches are valid. Templates are a tool, not a requirement.

## A good template habit

The safest way to use a template is:

1. choose the closest match
2. simplify it if needed
3. connect your apps
4. test it
5. publish only after you understand the flow

That helps templates save time without turning them into black boxes.