Hi there, I’m trying to work out how to save protypes so that everytime I open a new TBX file I have access to that specific prototype. I’m a UK based lawyer and am experimenting and refining TBX for use with case analysis and preparation. I have a specific protocol to collate data and I will be using this regularly across my litigation files. I just don’t want to have to create it all the time but would prefer to have it as a template alongside the built in protocols. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, DS
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Create a Tinderbox document and add any prototype(s) that you want to make available to every future Tinderbox document. Do not add other notes – just prototypes.
Save that document as Prototypes.tbx in this folder:
~/Library/Application Support/Tinderbox/prototypes/
Create the prototypes folder there if it is not already created.
Quit Tinderbox and reopen Tinderbox. From that point, you should find your personal prototypes in the portion of this menu below the line (those listed in the image are my own personal prototypes):
Later, if want to add more personal prototypes, just open the Tinderbox document you created and saved per these instructions, and edit the existing or add new prototypes.
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This is great, @PaulWalters. I had no idea one could do this. Does this work for other built-ins, such as “Library” and “Syntax” notes located in the “Hints” directory?
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It’s just for prototypes.
Actually, it works to some extent for templates
Store the templates as plain text files, one per template, with no extension in
~/Library/Application Support/Tinderbox/template/
and the template(s) appear here:
I suspect this is a glitch and not an intentional feature, so YMMV (wildly)
@PaulWalters examples are really useful for creating a foundational file that includes your prototypes and templates. As you progress, you may find that you want other elements in you files, in which case producing a setup installer could be a useful trick for you. Richard and I reviewed a simple version of this idea in last week’s meetup: Tinderbox Meetup, Sat., Feb. 15, 2025 (Video): Developing Automatic Installers and Other Insights. I’ll be creating some additional trainings and templates around this idea later this week, early next week.
These support features are documented:
Both folders use a plural lowercase name, in case that matters.
Indeed, it’s probably worth a read of the whole section on support folders if unfamiliar: Tinderbox Application Support folders.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the favorites folder and use of stationery files depends on Apple not quietly killing off stationery files. Like AppleScript, Apple have been wanting to kill such a feature off for ages but haven’t … yet. So Tinderbox’s support for stationery files is dependent on Apple not messing with an OS feature.
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Wow… that tip is great Paul!
You are a magician… kudos!
Tom
Thank you so much, that has helped hugely. And also thank you for such a prompt response. I’m sure I’ll be asking many more questions in due course!
Glad it worked.
This forum has a special for new members: unlimited questions. Welcome, and feel free to use your quota! 
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Clearly, some extra cross-refs would help in existing docs so I’ve made these improvements…
In Built-in Prototypes, as well as already linking to Shared prototypes, the last section is now:
Storing prototypes for re-use in multiple documents
See Shared prototypes and the Application Support ‘prototypes’ folder.
Built-in export Templates adds a new section:
Storing templates for re-use in multiple documents
See the Application Support ‘templates’ folder.
Hopefully this should make the description of the sharing easier to find.
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