---
title: "Reuse a project as a template"
description: "Build a template project with relative due dates and start new projects from it with Clone."
url: "https://okido.io/en/docs/projects/reuse-a-project-as-a-template"
chapter: "Projects"
chapterUrl: "https://okido.io/en/docs/projects.md"
plans: ["Pro", "Business"]
roles: "Everyone in the organization"
language: "en"
edition: "2026-10-23"
---

# Reuse a project as a template

> Build a template project with relative due dates and start new projects from it with Clone.

Do you run the same kind of project again and again, such as a website launch for each new client? Build it once as a template. Its tasks get due dates relative to the project's start or launch date, and every new project you start from it gets real dates.

## Create a template project

1. Choose **Projects**, then **New Project**.
2. Enter a name, choose **Template Project**, then choose **Create Project**.
3. Open the new project from the project list.

The project has a **Template** badge and a **Clone** button. Add columns and tasks as in any project.

## Count back from a launch date

A template plans from its start date at first: "5 days after start". For launches, events and deadlines, count back from the end instead: "10 days before launch". Organization owners and admins can change this.

1. In the template, choose the project settings button (the pencil) at the top right.
2. On the **General** tab, set **Plan dates from** to **Launch or end date**.
3. Choose **Update Project**.

## Give tasks relative due dates

1. Open a task in the template.
2. Under the due date, enter a number of days. In a template that counts back from launch, also choose **days before launch** or **days after launch**.
   ![A template task due 3 days before launch](https://okido.io/docs/screenshots/en/template-relative-dates.webp)

The task cards now show the relative due date instead of a calendar date.

![A template project whose tasks are due a number of days before launch](https://okido.io/docs/screenshots/en/template-project.webp)

## Start a project from the template

1. Open the template and choose **Clone**.
2. Enter the **Project Name**.
3. Pick the date the template counts from: the **Launch / end date**, or the start date (optional: without one, today is the start).
4. Choose **Create Project**.
   ![Starting a client website project from the template, with its launch date](https://okido.io/docs/screenshots/en/clone-template-dialog.webp)

OKiDO opens the new project. It is a regular public project with the template's columns, tasks, labels and default labels, and each task has a real due date worked out from the date you picked. The template stays as it is, ready for the next one.