NDA Templates

The NDA Templates feature allows you to create, manage, and version Non-Disclosure Agreements that contacts must sign before accessing protected documents. This guide explains the versioning workflow and how to effectively manage your NDA templates.

Overview

NDA templates use Directus's content versioning system combined with a custom is_active field to ensure that:

• Published content remains immutable
• You can track exactly which version a contact signed
• Multiple versions can exist while only one is active
• Changes are properly versioned and auditable

Template Status vs Version Status

The system distinguishes between:

• Template Status: draft, published, or archived - applies to the base template
• Version Status: Stored in the version's delta, determines if content is editable
• Active Version: Marked with is_active: true - the version contacts will sign

Versioning Workflow

The NDA template system follows a structured workflow:

1. Start with a Draft Template and save changes as needed.
2. Publish the template once the initial content is ready.
3. From the published template, choose Create Version to open a draft version such as v1.
4. Save edits in the draft version until the language is final.
5. Publish Version to lock that version.
6. Activate the published version to make it the one contacts will sign.
7. When terms change again, create a new version (v2, v3, and so on), publish it, then activate it.

Workflow at a glance

Workflow States Explained

1. Draft Template/Version

   • Yellow status indicator
   • Editable content
   • Can be saved multiple times
   • Use Cmd+S (Mac) or Ctrl+S (Windows) to save
   • Primary action: Publish

2. Published Template/Version

   • Green status indicator
   • Non-editable (read-only)
   • Immutable content
   • OptionalActions (choose one):
     • Activate - makes this the active version for contacts to sign
     • Create Version - creates a new draft version for further changes

3. Active Version

   • Green "Active" badge in version dropdown
   • The version that contacts will sign
   • Non-editable
   • Only one version can be active at a time

Managing Templates and Versions

Creating a New Template

1. Navigate to NDA Templates in the admin center
2. Click Create Template
3. Fill in the template details:
   • Title - Name of the NDA
   • Type - Standard, Bilateral, Unilateral, or Multilateral
   • Language - Template language (en-US, de-DE, fr-FR)
   • Content - The NDA content in Markdown format
4. Save your draft using the Save button or Cmd+S
5. Click Publish to publish the template

Working with Versions

Creating a New Version

From any published content (template or version):

1. Click Create Version
2. A new draft version is created with the current content
3. The version is automatically numbered (v1, v2, v3...)
4. Edit and save changes as needed
5. Click Publish to publish the version

Publishing a Version

When viewing a draft version:

1. Make your changes and save
2. Click Publish to make it a published version
3. The version becomes immutable and non-editable

Activating a Version

When viewing a published version that isn't active:

1. Click Activate
2. The system deactivates all other versions
3. This version becomes the active one that contacts will sign
4. The template status is updated to published

Version Dropdown

The version dropdown shows:

• Working Draft - Current template state (if template has published versions)
• Current - Current template state (if no published versions exist)
• Version List - All created versions with active indicator

Example:

┌─────────────────────────┐
│ Working Draft           │
├─────────────────────────┤
│ v1                      │
│ v2 • Active             │
│ v3                      │
└─────────────────────────┘

How the System Works

Version Creation Flow

1. You click Create Version from a published template or version.
2. Admin Center copies the current content into a new draft version.
3. The new version is marked as draft.
4. Admin Center opens the draft version so you can continue editing immediately.

Version Activation Flow

1. You click Activate on a published version.
2. Admin Center marks every other version for that template as inactive.
3. The selected published version is marked as active.
4. Admin Center confirms the change and uses that version for future NDA signing.

How Contacts Sign NDAs

When a contact attempts to access a document that requires an NDA:

1. The contact opens a protected document in the Trust Center.
2. Trust Center checks whether the contact already accepted the required NDA.
3. If needed, Trust Center loads the currently active NDA version.
4. The NDA agreement is shown to the contact.
5. After acceptance, Trust Center records which exact version was accepted.
6. Document access is granted once the acceptance is stored.

Best Practices

Version Control

• Always test content in preview before publishing
• Use the version system to track changes over time
• Keep only one active version to avoid confusion
• Document what changed between versions

Content Management

• Use Markdown formatting for consistent styling
• Include all necessary legal clauses
• Preview the formatted content before publishing
• Consider the impact on existing signed NDAs before activating a new version

Status Management

• Draft content is for work in progress
• Publish when content is finalized
• Only activate versions that should be presented to contacts

UI Indicators

Status Colors

• 🟡 Yellow Circle - Draft status
• 🟢 Green Circle - Published status
• 🔘 Gray Circle - Archived status

Version Indicators

• Active Badge - Green dot with "Active" text
• Read-only Mode - Lock icon on published content

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Cmd+S (Mac) / Ctrl+S (Windows) - Save draft changes

Common Scenarios

Updating Terms

1. Navigate to your active NDA template
2. Click Create Version to create a draft
3. Make your changes in the draft version
4. Save and preview your changes
5. Click Publish when ready
6. Click Activate to make it the active version

Rolling Back

If you need to revert to a previous version:

1. Find the previous version in the dropdown
2. Ensure it's published (not draft)
3. Click Activate
4. The previous version becomes active again

Multiple Language Versions

Each language has its own template:

1. Create separate templates for each language
2. Each template has its own versioning
3. Manage versions independently per language