Templates
The right starting point
for your kind of project.
Every Chronicle Vault Lockbox starts from a template. Each one is pre-configured with the right tabs, the right card structures, and the right layout for a specific type of writing project. Pick one when you create a new Lockbox, and the tool is already shaped to your work — no setup required.
Nothing is locked in. Every template is a starting point, not a constraint. Rename tabs, add custom tabs, hide what you don't need, and make it yours.
For power users who want a clean slate
Blank
A true empty slate. No pre-filled sections, no renamed tabs, no starter cards. All built-in tabs visible and ready to configure however you like. Start from zero and build exactly the workflow you need.
All built-in tabs visible, nothing renamed
No pre-filled brainstorm sections or card templates
One story tab: Manuscript
Opens as: Manuscript
For novelists and fiction writers
Fiction
The full Chronicle Vault experience, configured for fiction. All tabs visible with card structures built for character-driven storytelling. The right choice when you want everything available from the start.
All built-in tabs visible
Character cards: Appearance, Personality & Ideals, Backstory, Goals & Motivations, Secrets & Fears, Relationships & Allies
Full linking system, backlinks, archives, glossary, timeline, outline
Opens as: Main Story
For memoirists, essayists, narrative nonfiction
Non-Fiction
Built for writing about real people, real places, and real events. A custom People tab replaces Characters so entries say "+ New Person" throughout. Brainstorm sections are oriented around argument and structure rather than worldbuilding.
Custom "People" tab (entries: "+ New Person")
People cards: Background, Role & Significance, Known Associates, Contributions & Works, Notes
Location cards: Overview, Significance, Notable Features, Historical Context, Notes
Brainstorm sections: Thesis & Argument, Structure, Research Notes, Questions, Key Quotes
All tabs visible including Organizations and Glossary
Opens as: Untitled Book
For academics, students, researchers
Research Paper
Sources and outline front and center, with a tab layout built around academic writing. Track scholars and thinkers as "Figures" with cards for their field and key arguments. Brainstorm sections guide you from thesis to counterarguments. Glossary included for terminology.
Tab order: Sources → Outline → Brainstorm → Figures → Timeline → Glossary
Characters renamed "Figures"
Figures cards: Background, Field of Study, Key Arguments, Notable Works, Relationships
Brainstorm sections: Thesis & Argument, Literature Review, Methodology, Gaps & Questions, Counterarguments
Opens as: Untitled Paper
For PIs, journalists, true crime writers, crime novelists
Investigation / Case File
Structured for projects that revolve around piecing things together. The Brainstorm tab becomes "Case Notes" — pre-loaded with a case details section covering case number, date reported, client, and status. Custom tabs for Persons of Interest, Witnesses, and Evidence ship pre-configured and ready to fill in. Everything stays encrypted and offline.
Case Notes tab (renamed Brainstorm) — opens collapsed, showing case details immediately
Custom "Persons of Interest" tab: Known Aliases, Physical Description, Relationship to Case, Known Associates, Motive, Last Known Location, Notes
Custom "Witnesses" tab: Contact Information, Relationship to Incident, Statement Summary, Credibility Notes, Follow-up Needed
Custom "Evidence" tab: Evidence Number, Description, Date Collected, Location Found, Collected By, Current Custodian, Chain of Custody, Condition, Notes
Location cards tuned for casework: Address / Coordinates, Significance to Case, Evidence Collected Here
Opens as: Untitled Case
For biographers and life writers
Biography
Brainstorm-first for theme development, then Outline and Timeline for structure and chronology. A custom People tab replaces Characters so entries say "+ New Person." Location and organization cards are oriented around historical context and significance rather than fictional worldbuilding.
Tab order: Brainstorm → Outline → Timeline → People → Locations → Organizations → Sources → Glossary
Custom "People" tab (entries: "+ New Person")
People cards: Background, Relationship to Subject, Key Events, Contributions, Notes
Location cards: Overview, Historical Period, Significance to Subject, Notable Events Here, Notes
Organization cards: Overview, Founded / Active Period, Subject's Role & Involvement, Key Figures, Significance to Subject, Notes
Brainstorm sections: Themes, Historical Context, Gaps & Questions, Source Notes
Opens as: Manuscript
For tabletop GMs and worldbuilders
Game Master
World-building and campaign management in one place. Player Characters and NPCs get separate tabs so you can reference your players' sheets and track non-player characters independently. A custom Creatures tab ships pre-configured for abilities, habitat, and encounter notes. Brainstorm sections are built around session planning rather than fiction writing.
Tab order: Brainstorm → Outline → Player Characters → NPCs → Creatures → Locations → Organizations → Glossary
Characters renamed "Player Characters"
Player Character cards: Class & Level, Race / Species, Background, Ability Scores, Key Skills & Proficiencies, Equipment & Inventory, Personality & Backstory, Goals & Motivations, Notes
Custom "NPCs" tab: Description, Role & Motivation, Relationship to Players, Secrets, Notes
Custom "Creatures" tab: Description, Abilities & Stats, Habitat, Lore, Weaknesses, Encounter Notes
Brainstorm sections: Session Notes, Plot Threads, World Building, Quest Ideas, House Rules, GM Notes
Opens as: Untitled Campaign
For screenwriters and playwrights
Screenplay
A streamlined setup built around cast, scenes, and settings. A custom Scenes tab lets you build a scene breakdown before you start writing — each scene tracks its heading, characters present, what happens, and what changes. Brainstorm sections guide you through logline, act structure, and themes.
Tab order: Brainstorm → Outline → Cast → Scenes → Settings → Sources
Characters renamed "Cast"
Cast cards: Role, Physical Description, Character Arc, Voice & Mannerisms, Relationships, Notes
Custom "Scenes" tab: Scene Heading (INT./EXT.), Location & Time of Day, Characters Present, What Happens, What Changes, Notes
Locations renamed "Settings" — Settings cards: INT. or EXT., Description & Atmosphere, Time of Day / Lighting, Scenes Set Here, Notes
Brainstorm sections: Logline & Premise, Act Structure, Themes, Production Notes
Opens as: Untitled Script
Every template is a starting point, not a constraint. Hide any tab, add a custom one, rename anything — the tool shapes to your project, not the other way around. And if none of these fit exactly, start from Blank and build it yourself.
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