The first-afternoon path
- 1
Duplicate the template
Use the link you receive after purchase to copy MatterOS into your own Notion workspace.
- 2
Watch the setup walkthrough
The included video covers the databases and how they connect.
- 3
Replace the samples
Create one real client and one real matter in the Matters hub. Delete the sample rows you do not need.
- 4
Add the actions
For that matter, log every upcoming deadline and task with an owner, a date and the consequence if missed.
- 5
Open the dashboard
Check that the deadline and overdue views show what you just entered.
What to leave until week two
- Time log: start recording once the matter and action habit holds.
- Evidence register: classify documents as they arrive, not as a clean-up project.
- Team and handover notes: add when someone else touches the matter.
- Research library: save the first piece of work you would hate to redo.
The Matter Method describes six levels of maturity, and you do not need to reach the top on day one.
What the template does not do
It does not guide you with prompts inside Notion, send onboarding emails or import data from your old system. If you are migrating, enter active matters first and archive the rest as a reference list rather than copying everything.
Onboarding a team
Add colleagues once your first matter is working, set their access in Notion, and ask each person to open one matter and log one action. Shared habits matter more than complete data.
Frequently asked questions
- Does MatterOS have a guided tour?
- No. It has a setup walkthrough video, a quick start guide and the playbook. There is no in-product tour.
- How long does setup take?
- Duplicating and opening a first matter is realistic in an afternoon. Moving a whole caseload takes longer.
- Do I need to know Notion first?
- No, but the free Notion guides on this site help. Start with just Matters and Actions.
- Can I import matters from another system?
- Notion can import some formats, but MatterOS does not include a migration tool. Enter active matters first.
Sources
About the author
Raghav Handa trained as a lawyer, then spent years building legal technology, from enterprise legal products to custom systems for law firms.
Keep reading
- About MatterOSMatterOS: the Notion operating system for lawyersWhat MatterOS is: a Notion template built on the Matter Method, with six connected databases, a practice dashboard, a playbook, a setup video and an AI prompt pack.3 min read · 17 October 2026
- About MatterOSThe Matter Method: six pieces, every case, nothing forgottenThe Matter Method explained: six connected parts of legal work, the test for each, six maturity levels and the doctrines behind MatterOS.3 min read · 17 October 2026
- About MatterOSMatterOS pricing: one payment, no subscriptionMatterOS costs $99 once. What you get, what you also pay for (Notion), the 7-day refund and how the cost compares with monthly practice software.3 min read · 17 October 2026