When I started my first novel, I spent two weeks building a folder structure before writing a single word. Scrivener templates eliminate that problem. They give you an organized starting point so you can focus on writing instead of setup.
Scrivener is one of the most powerful writing tools available, but its flexibility can be overwhelming. Templates solve that. They provide a framework designed for your specific type of project, with the right folders, formatting, and organizational structure already in place.
What Are Scrivener Templates?
A Scrivener template is a pre-configured project file with folder structures, formatting presets, and placeholder content tailored to a specific type of writing. When you open a template, you get a ready-made workspace instead of a blank project.
Templates matter because structure affects output. A novel outline built inside a good template keeps your chapters, research, and character notes organized from day one. Without structure, most writers lose track of details by chapter five.
Default Scrivener Templates
Scrivener ships with several built-in templates that are present from the moment you install it. These cover the most common project types and work well for writers who want a clean starting point without customization.
Fiction: Includes a manuscript folder with chapter subdivisions, a characters folder, a places folder, and a research section. The compile settings are pre-configured for the standard manuscript format. They are double-spaced, 12pt font, half-inch indents.
Nonfiction: Structured with parts and chapters rather than scenes. Includes a notes section and a research folder. The front matter is set up for the title page, table of contents, and introduction.
Scriptwriting: Formatted for screenplay, stage play, or comic script. It uses industry-standard formatting with scene headings, action lines, character cues, and dialogue formatted as you type.
Short Story: A simplified version of the fiction template with fewer organizational folders. Good for stories under 10,000 words where you don't need extensive character or setting documentation.
Poetry: Minimal structure with individual documents for each poem. Includes a submission tracker for sending work to journals and magazines.
External Scrivener Templates Worth Using
Beyond the abovementioned defaults, the growing Scrivener community has built templates for specific genres and workflows. These templates are imported into Scrivener as .scrivtemplate files.
Novel Templates
The most popular external templates add genre-specific structure to the basic fiction template. Romance novel templates include sections for relationship arcs and beat sheets. Thriller templates add timeline tracking for multiple plot threads, so you can’t get lost. Mystery templates include suspect profiles and clue tracking sections.
For any novel template, make sure it includes a section for character development sheets. Tracking character details in the same project file prevents continuity errors.
Outlining Templates
Outlining templates focus on story structure rather than manuscript formatting. These tend to include frameworks such as the three-act structure, the Hero's Journey, Save the Cat beat sheet, or Dan Harmon's Story Circle. Each structural beat gets its own document with prompts and instructions.
World Building Templates
Designed for fantasy and science fiction writers, world-building templates include sections for geography, history, cultures, magic systems, technology, languages, and political structures. These templates can be massive. Some include hundreds of placeholder documents organized into nested folders.
Essay and Academic Templates
Academic templates include citation management sections, bibliography formatting, and structured outlines for research papers, dissertations, and theses. The compile settings output to formats compatible with academic publishing standards.
How to Import and Use a Template
Importing an external template into Scrivener takes about thirty seconds:
Download the .scrivtemplate file to your computer.
Open Scrivener and go to File → New Project.
Click the Options button at the bottom left of the template chooser.
Select 'Import Templates' and navigate to your downloaded file.
The template now appears in your template chooser for future projects.
Customizing Templates for Your Workflow
Most of the time, no template will match your process down to a T. The best approach is to start with a template that's close to what you need and modify it. Add folders for things you track. Remove sections you won't use. Adjust the formatting to match your preferences.
Once you've customized a project to your liking, save it as your own template: File → Save As Template. Give it a descriptive name and category. This becomes your personal starting point for future projects.
Tips for Getting the Most From Scrivener Templates
Don't over-organize at the start. Use the template's default structure and add sections only when you need them. Pre-building dozens of empty folders creates busywork, not productivity.
Use the Research folder actively. Dump articles, images, PDFs, and notes into the research section. Having everything in one place saves you from switching between applications.
Keep character notes in the project. Whether you use the template's built-in character folder or create your own, tracking character details in Scrivener prevents the constant tab-switching that breaks your writing flow. A character development sheet inside your project file keeps everything accessible.
Use labels and status markers. Scrivener lets you assign labels (like POV character or subplot) and status markers (like first draft, revised, final) to each document. Templates that pre-configure these save setup time.
Compile settings matter. Templates include pre-set compile configurations. Check these before you start writing. There's nothing worse than finishing a manuscript and discovering the template's compile settings don't match your publisher's requirements.
Final Thoughts
Scrivener templates provide a structured starting point that can save time, reduce setup friction, and help keep complex projects organized from the outset. Whether you use a built-in option or create a customized template of your own, the right framework lets you spend less time managing files and more time focusing on the writing itself.
Related Resources
FAQ
Here, I will answer the most frequently asked questions about Scrivener templates.
Are Scrivener templates free?
The built-in templates that come with Scrivener are included in your purchase. Most external templates created by the community are also free. Some premium templates, such as detailed genre-specific ones with extensive placeholder content, may cost between $5 and $25.
Can I use Scrivener templates on both Mac and Windows?
Yes. Scrivener templates are cross-platform compatible between Mac and Windows versions of Scrivener 3. Templates created on one platform will work on the other. The iOS version of Scrivener can open projects created from templates, but cannot import new templates directly.
Which template should I use for my first novel?
Start with Scrivener's built-in Fiction template. It has everything you need without overwhelming you with options. As you develop your process, you can customize it or switch to a more detailed external template. Before writing, build an outline within the template's structure.
Can I create my own Scrivener template from scratch?
Yes. Set up a new blank project, build the folder structure, formatting, and compile settings you want, then go to File → Save As Template. You can share your custom templates with other Scrivener users by exporting the .scrivtemplate file.
Do I need Scrivener to use these templates?
Yes, Scrivener templates only work within the Scrivener application. If you're looking for alternatives, most writing apps offer their own template systems, though none are as customizable as Scrivener's.
How do I switch templates mid-project?
You can't switch a project's template, but you can create a new project from a different template and drag your existing documents into it using Scrivener's split-screen view. This preserves your content while giving you the new template's structure and compile settings.