Three ways to make Plaud work your way: here's which one fits the job.
The one-line difference
- A Template shapes a summary: it controls the structure and style of the note generated from one recording.
- A Skill shapes a task: it's a saved instruction set Plaud Agent follows to produce a deliverable, any time you invoke it.
- A Routine shapes when work happens: it runs a task (often a Skill) automatically on a trigger, with no one in the chat.
When to use which?
- "I want my meeting notes to always follow my format" → Template. Apply it when generating a summary from the recording page. The result is saved as a note on the file.
- "I keep asking Plaud Agent for the same deliverable: a client recap, an exec brief, a QA report" → Skill. In Work mode, invoke it with / or let Plaud Agent pick it automatically; it works across one file, several files, or a folder.
- "This should happen without me: every morning, or every time a recording finishes" → Routine. Pick a trigger (time-based, event-based, keyword-based, or person-based) and reference a Skill in the description with /.
They stack naturally: a Template defines your note format, a Skill turns content into a deliverable, and a Routine runs that Skill on a schedule or on every new summary.
Where each one lives
- Templates: browse and favorite in Tools → Templates; apply one from the recording page with ⋯ > Regenerate > Summary only or + New note.
- Skills: your list is under Tools → Skills → My skills (installed and official Skills under Added skills, your own under Created skills); create one with + → Create skill with AI, which opens a Skill Creator conversation. Install more from Tools → Skills.
- Routines: Ask Plaud → Routines → Create manually or Create with AI. Tasks a Routine starts appear on the Tasks page like any other.
Good to know
- A summary generated with a Template uses no Plaud Credits. Skills and Routines run in Work mode, which uses Plaud Credits.
- Skills you install from the community are read-only; your own Skills can be revised in a Skill Creator conversation (⋯ → Edit with agent on the skill's detail page).
- A Routine's Auto-approve switch is on by default; review it before letting a Routine send anything outside Plaud. See Routines: run tasks automatically.
FAQ
Can a Skill use my Template?
Yes. The official Use Template skill recommends a fitting template for your content and generates a structured write-up when you call it in Work mode, and your own Skill's instructions can specify the same structure a Template would.
Do Templates work inside Routines?
Not directly; a Routine runs a task description (optionally with Skills). Automatic summaries use the default Intelligent generation template. To get a note in another format, open the recording and create a + New note with your Template.
Which one syncs across devices?
All three belong to your account and are available wherever you use Plaud.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for reference only and may change as Plaud product features continue to update. Please refer to the latest version of the product for the most current experience.