> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.paxton.ai/help/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.paxton.ai/help/paxton-ai/drafting-in-paxton-ai.md).
# Drafting in Paxton AI
### Three Ways to Start
| Start from… | Use when |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **A prompt** | You want Paxton to build the document from your matter files and the governing law. |
| **A document you've written** | You have a brief, contract, or letter whose structure you want to reuse. |
| **A template** | Your firm or the court requires specific fonts, margins, captions, or styles. |
These stack. A typical draft uses all three: your matter files supply the facts, a prior brief supplies the shape, and a template supplies the formatting at download.
> ℹ️ **You don't attach files to a drafting request.** Everything already in the matter is in context. Naming a document in your prompt tells Paxton which one to lean on — it isn't required for Paxton to read it.
***
### Start from a Prompt
Open the matter, confirm the jurisdiction, and describe the document. Paxton drafts from the matter's full file set — you only need to point at specific documents when you want a particular one relied on.
A strong drafting prompt names five things:
1. **The document** — motion for partial summary judgment, demand letter, discovery responses.
2. **The court or recipient** — so Paxton applies the right rules and tone.
3. **The record to use** — name specific matter files, or say "the record in this matter" and let Paxton search it.
4. **The outcome** — what the document has to establish or ask for.
5. **The constraints** — length, required sections, arguments to preserve or leave out.
```
Draft a motion for partial summary judgment on the breach-of-contract count. Use the employment agreement, the employee handbook, and the termination letter in this matter. Argue that the incorporated handbook provisions are contractually binding and that the notice provided was less than the required thirty days. Reserve the retaliation claims for trial. Flag every fact that is not supported by an attached document.
```
> ✅ Adding "flag every assertion not supported by an attached file" turns the draft into a to-do list.
***
### Start from a Document You've Written
Point Paxton at an existing work product and it will follow that document's structure, headings, and organization while replacing the substance with this matter's facts.
1. **Name the model document.** If it's already in the matter, just refer to it — "follow the structure of `Smith_MSJ_2024.docx`." Nothing to attach.
2. **If it isn't in the matter, add it.** Use 📎 for a one-off, or **Manage Matter Files** if you'll reuse it.
3. **Say which is which** — make clear which document supplies the *format* and which supply the *facts*. Everything else in the matter is already available for the substance.
```
Using the attached brief as a starting point, draft a new brief for this matter. Follow the same structure, section headings, and organization as the attached file, and adapt the content to the facts and arguments in this case.
```
**More prompts to adapt**
**Draft a new agreement off a prior one**
```
Draft a new agreement modeled on the attached contract. Keep the same section order and defined-term conventions. Update the parties, dates, and commercial terms to those described below, and flag any provision in the model that does not fit the new deal.
```
**Match an opposing filing section for section**
```
Draft an opposition that responds to the attached motion section by section, in the same order. For each of its arguments, state our response and cite the record support in this matter's files. Mark every point where we have no record support.
```
> ℹ️ Starting points to refine, not finished filings. Review every carried-over provision — a clause that fit the prior matter may not fit this one.
***
### Finish with Your Formatting
A template controls **how the document looks** — fonts, margins, headings, numbering, captions, styles. It does not change a word of your draft.
1. **Open the draft** in the Canvas panel.
2. **Click the template icon** in the Canvas toolbar, top right.
3. **Choose:** **Upload** to add a new template file, or **Select Template** to reuse a saved one.
4. **Download** — the file arrives with that formatting applied.
> 🖼️ **Screenshot goes here:** The template control sits in the Canvas toolbar, above the draft.
> ℹ️ Formatting is applied **at download**. Your draft is not regenerated, so the content stays exactly as written.
Upload each standard once and reuse it forever: firm letterhead, brief formatting for each venue you appear in, pleading paper with your jurisdiction's caption block, your standard agreement styles.
***
### FAQ
**Does applying a template change my draft's wording?**
No. Templates affect formatting only. The substantive content stays exactly as written.
**Can I change templates after choosing one?**
Yes. Open the template menu again, select a different template, and download again.
**What if a fact isn't in my matter files?**
It won't be in the draft — and shouldn't be added without support. Add the document that establishes it to the matter, or ask Paxton to flag the gap so you can fill it yourself.
**Do I need to attach files every time I ask for a draft?**
No. Every file in the matter is in context for every chat in that matter. Attach a file only when you want to bring in something that isn't part of the matter's record.
**Can Paxton draft from a document I uploaded months ago?**
Yes. Matter files stay in context indefinitely. A chat you start today reaches everything added to the matter since it opened.
---
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