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If you want to build a CRM, client portal, dashboard, or directory without starting from scratch, templates are the fastest way to get moving with a polished foundation. First, log in to your Softr account. Once you're in, you'll land on the dashboard.
From here, click "Create New Application." This opens a clean starting point for your project so you can decide how you want to build it. Next, choose "Start from Template" to open the template gallery.
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Note from Softr: While selecting from our App templates is a fantastic way to quickly deploy something like a project management tracker or client portal, another great option is our AI co-builder. You can simply prompt the tool with what you want to build, and it will instantly generate a complete app and database schema for you, while still letting you manually tweak the design later.
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This is where the real time saver lives. Softr offers over 90 ready-made templates tailored for different use cases like CRMs, portals, dashboards, listings, and more. You can browse the gallery visually or narrow things down by searching or filtering by category such as CRM, portal, or project management.
If you already have a purpose in mind, using categories helps you skip the guesswork and get straight to the options that fit. As you explore, hover over any template thumbnail to reveal the "Preview" button. Preview lets you walk through the app's interface before you commit.
Take a moment to click around inside the preview. Look at the homepage layout, the navigation, and the key pages included. Check whether the template includes the sections you need, like a login page for a portal, a kanban board for a project tracker, or a search and filter experience for a directory.
This is also a great time to note the structure and flow, how information is organized, how users would move through the app, and whether the design feels right for your audience. Choose a template that matches your needs, whether that's a client portal for sharing resources, a project tracker for internal teams, or a public directory showcasing listings. Think about your immediate goal and the core actions your users should be able to take.
The closer the template is to your desired outcome, the less work you'll need to do later. When you're confident in your choice, click "Use Template" to start building from it. Softr will set up the entire application framework for you based on that design, so you have a working starting point right away.
From there, you can personalize content, adjust layout, and tailor the experience to your workflow. Templates give you structure and momentum while still leaving room for your brand and your unique requirements.
