---
title: "Templates, playbooks and role setups in MatterOS"
url: https://thematteros.com/features/templates_personas_playbooks
updated: 2026-10-17
author: Raghav Handa
---

# Templates, playbooks and role setups in MatterOS

MatterOS ships as a duplicable Notion workspace with the Matter Method playbook, a setup walkthrough, and database templates you can edit. It does not ship a separate library of persona-specific or practice-area builds. You adapt the same structure by editing properties and adding Notion database templates for your own matter types and roles.

## Key takeaways

- Included: the six databases, dashboard, Matter Method playbook, setup video and AI prompt pack.
- Not included: pre-built packages per practice area or role.
- Notion database templates let you pre-fill a new matter or action.
- Customise for yourself, then reuse; that is where playbooks pay back.

## What is in the box?

- Matters, Actions, Time, Team, Evidence and Research databases plus Clients and Invoices records.
- A practice dashboard.
- The Matter Method playbook describing the routines.
- A setup video walkthrough and a quick start guide.
- A prompt pack for use with Notion AI or another assistant.

- Product overview: https://thematteros.com/product
- Setup guide: https://thematteros.com/resources/how-to-set-up-a-notion-template


## How do you make a template for a matter type?

1. Open the Matters database: Choose New, then Add template (or the dropdown beside New).
2. Pre-fill the properties: Practice area, default stage and responsible lawyer.
3. Add a standard checklist: For a typical matter type: intake, conflict check, engagement letter, first steps.
4. Save and name it clearly: For example Residential purchase or Employment tribunal.

- Notion: Database templates: https://www.notion.com/help/database-templates


## Roles and practice areas

A paralegal, an associate and a partner usually want different views of the same data. Create a saved view per role (my actions, my matters, firm dashboard) rather than separate copies. For practice-area ideas, see the area pages.

- MatterOS by practice area: https://thematteros.com/for


## Be realistic about customisation

Changing properties can break dashboard formulas that rely on them. Duplicate before large changes, and rename carefully.


## Playbook, template or prompt: what is the difference?

| Thing | What it is | Where it lives |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Playbook | Written routines and the reasoning behind them | Included guide |
| Database template | A pre-filled new record, such as a standard matter | Notion database |
| Prompt | Text you give an AI assistant | Prompt pack, or your own page |

Start with the included playbook, then turn your repeated decisions into database templates. Add prompts last, once the records they read are complete.


## FAQ

### Does MatterOS include practice-area packages?

No. It is one jurisdiction-neutral structure you edit.

### Can I add matter templates?

Yes, using Notion database templates.

### Are the playbooks legal precedents?

No. They describe operating routines, not legal documents.

### Can I edit everything?

Yes. Every database, property and view is editable.

## Sources

- [Notion: Database templates](https://www.notion.com/help/database-templates)