> Markdown twin of https://adna.network/reference/specification/12-template-system/
> Index: https://adna.network/llms.txt · Full corpus: https://adna.network/llms-full.txt
> State is a build-time snapshot generated 2026-08-30 (UTC); nothing here is live.

# 12. Template System — aDNA Specification

> **Scan**: Graduated template sets (starter/standard/full), `template_{type}.md` naming, template index recommendation.

*Decisions: D11*

## 12.1 Graduated Template Sets

Templates live in `how/templates/`. Projects grow their template sets:

**Starter set** (every aDNA instance MUST include):

| Template | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `template_session.md` | Session file with SITREP and next-session prompt sections |
| `template_mission.md` | Mission with objectives, acceptance criteria, objective list |
| `template_context.md` | Context library file with topic structure and token estimate |

**Standard set** (SHOULD include for active multi-agent projects):

| Template | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `template_coordination.md` | Cross-agent coordination note |
| `template_backlog.md` | Backlog idea with priority, effort, status |
| `template_adr.md` | Architecture Decision Record |

**Full set** (MAY include per project domain):

Additional templates for domain-specific content types (customer, partner, model, dataset, etc.).

## 12.2 Template Conventions

Templates MUST follow the naming pattern `template_{type}.md`.

Templates MUST include frontmatter with all required base fields (§7.2) plus type-specific fields pre-populated.

A template index (e.g., `template_library.md` in `how/templates/`) is RECOMMENDED for projects with 5 or more templates.

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