Overview
Auction templates let super admins create new auctions from existing, pre-configured auctions. Instead of setting up locations, submission types, defect categories, and other configuration from scratch, you can clone all configuration from a template auction into a fully independent new auction.Super Admin Only: Both marking an auction as a template and creating auctions from templates require super admin access.
How Templates Work
A template is simply an existing auction with the template flag enabled. When you create a new auction from a template, the system performs a deep copy of all configuration while ensuring the new auction is completely independent.What Gets Copied
Locations
All locations with addresses, operating hours, and submission frequencies
Submission Types
Custom submission types with display order and activity rates
Defect Categories
Custom defect categories with display order
Location Configs
Per-location submission type and defect category assignments
Backlog Thresholds
Green/yellow hour thresholds for global and per-location overrides
Custom Object Types
Custom objects with field schemas, display names, and icons
Object Associations
Relationship mappings between custom and system objects
Field Definitions
Custom field definitions for tables
Jobs
Custom jobs with descriptions, activity rates, and display order
Abilities
Custom abilities with descriptions and display order
Job-Ability Mappings
Which abilities are assigned to which jobs
Branding
Logo URL and color scheme (primary, secondary, accent)
Settings
Auction-level settings such as edit window duration
What Does NOT Get Copied
| Item | Reason |
|---|---|
| Team members | The creating user becomes the sole owner |
| Submission data | Lot submissions, inspections, and reports are never copied |
| Chat messages | Communication history stays with the original auction |
| System submission types | Shared globally, no need to copy |
| System defect categories | Shared globally, no need to copy |
| System jobs & abilities | Shared globally, no need to copy |
| The template flag itself | New auctions are never templates by default |
The new auction is completely independent after creation. Modifying the template auction later will not affect any auctions previously created from it.
Marking an Auction as a Template
Find Template Section
Scroll to the Auction Template card. This section is only visible to super admins.
Creating an Auction from a Template
When templates are available, the auction creation page shows a template selection section above the name field.Select a Template
Browse the available templates displayed as cards. Each card shows:
- Auction name
- Number of locations
- Number of custom submission types
- Number of custom defect categories
- Number of custom objects
- Number of custom jobs
Enter Auction Name
Type the name for your new auction. A unique URL slug is generated automatically.
ID Remapping
When configuration is copied, all internal IDs are regenerated. The system maintains correct relationships by remapping references:- Custom submission types get new IDs, and all location-level submission type assignments are updated to reference the new IDs
- Custom defect categories get new IDs, and location-level defect category assignments are remapped accordingly
- Locations get new IDs, and all per-location configurations (submission types, defect categories, backlog thresholds) reference the new location IDs
- Custom object types get new IDs, and object associations are preserved
- Custom jobs get new IDs, and job-ability mappings reference the new job IDs
- Custom abilities get new IDs, and job-ability mappings reference the new ability IDs
- System types (shared across all auctions) are referenced as-is without remapping
Access Control
| Action | Required Role |
|---|---|
| Toggle template flag on/off | Super admin |
| View templates on create page | Super admin |
| Create auction from template | Super admin |
| Create auction without template | Any authenticated user |
Non-super-admin users see the standard create auction form without any template options.
Best Practices
Designing Good Templates
- Include all standard locations with correct operating hours and submission frequencies
- Configure submission types that are common across your organization
- Set up defect categories that match your quality inspection standards
- Define backlog thresholds with sensible defaults for green/yellow status
- Add branding with placeholder colors that can be customized later
Template Naming
Use clear, descriptive names for template auctions so super admins can quickly identify the right template:- “Standard Auto Auction (3 Locations)”
- “Small Dealer Template”
- “Enterprise - Full Config”
Maintaining Templates
- Review periodically: Update template configuration when organizational standards change
- Test before publishing: Create a test auction from the template to verify the copy is correct
- Document what’s included: Keep notes about what each template contains for other admins
Troubleshooting
Template section not visible
Template section not visible
Cause: You are not a super adminSolution: Only super admins can see and use templates. Contact your system administrator to request super admin access.
No templates available
No templates available
Cause: No auctions have been marked as templates, or all template auctions are inactiveSolution: Mark an existing auction as a template in its Settings page, and ensure the auction is active.
Template creation failed
Template creation failed
Possible causes:
- Source auction is no longer marked as a template
- Source auction has been deleted or deactivated
- Database error during the deep copy