> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/field-operations/assets/recurring-service-templates-and-template-groups.md). # Recurring service templates and template groups Recurring service templates let you define a standard set of services once and reuse them, instead of rebuilding the same schedules on every asset group. They live under Settings, Recurring Service Templates. ## Create and manage template groups Select **Add Template** to create a template group. Give the group a name, choose the **Asset Group Type** it applies to, pick an automation type (None, Automated Outreach, or Manual), and optionally turn on **Apply by Default**. Apply by Default automatically selects the template group when you create a new asset group of that type, so its services come along without extra clicks. Select a group header to expand it. Inside the group, **Add Recurring Service** creates a template for one service. Each template carries its **Visit Type**, frequency, due-date rounding, optional asset filter, and answer to **Can Trigger Automation?** Setting that control to **No** makes the read-only template list show **Flexible**. Use the template's edit and delete controls to change or remove it. The delete icon on a template group opens **Delete Template Group** and warns that deleting the group and all of its templates cannot be undone. Review the group before confirming. ## Apply templates to an asset group When you add recurring services to an asset group, if a matching template group exists you get an 'Add Recurring Services' dialog whose Template dropdown lists template groups; choosing a group creates one recurring service for every template in it at once (or pick 'Create from scratch' to skip templates). If no template group applies, the single 'Add Recurring Service' dialog opens instead, with a Template dropdown of individual templates where choosing one fills that single schedule in for you. On an asset group, a group's services display together under the group name and collapse into a single summary; if a service is later changed away from its template, that group is shown as standalone services instead. ## Update asset groups already using a template Editing a template can also update the services already created from it. When you save a change to a template that asset groups are using, Essential shows how many asset groups are affected. You can save the template only, update only the services that still match the template (services you customized afterward keep their changes), or update all services created from the template. If at least one existing service is affected and every existing service is in the same matching state, the prompt shows one update action for those existing services instead of both update choices. An **Add to *****N***** asset groups that don't have this service yet** action can still appear separately when some asset groups use the template group but are missing the service. Services that are updated have their upcoming due dates recalculated shortly after the template change. Adding a new template to a template group that asset groups already use prompts you to add the new recurring service to those asset groups as well. If no asset group uses the template group, adding the template does not show that follow-up prompt. Deleting a template asks whether to keep its existing services on their asset groups—the default—or delete those services with the template. If no existing services were created from that template, deletion affects only the template and does not show those follow-up choices. > **Where to find it:** Settings, Recurring Service Templates (under the **Asset Groups and Services** group). Templates are applied later from the Template dropdown in the Add Recurring Service dialog on an asset group. ## Related guides * [Setting up a recurring service in depth: frequency, automation, rounding, and the asset filter](/field-operations/assets/setting-up-a-recurring-service-in-depth-frequency-automation-rounding-and-the-asset-filter.md) * [Asset groups and assets: terminology and screen labels](/field-operations/assets/assets-vs-asset-groups-vs-asset-items-the-terminology.md) * [Deleting an asset group (and what it removes)](/field-operations/assets/deleting-an-asset-group-and-what-it-removes.md) * [What an asset group page shows](/field-operations/assets/what-an-asset-group-page-shows.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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