Drafting rules
Write one or several rulebooks inside a game, start from a template, and download them as PDF, HTML or BGG markup.
Last reviewed October 11, 2026
The Rules tab gives you a document editor for your rulebook, similar to Google Docs or Notion. It is the working draft that changes between playtests, not a layout tool for the printed book.
What this page helps you do
- Start a rulebook from a template or from a blank page.
- Keep several rule documents on one game (full rules, quick start, variants).
- Write with headings, lists, tables and images.
- Download the rules as PDF, HTML or BoardGameGeek markup.
You'll start from a game's page: click the Rules tab.
Start your first rulebook
The first time you open the tab you see two choices: Start from a template and Start from scratch. Click one. Either way a document named Main Rules is created and the editor opens.
Helpful details
- Key areas: the template lays out standard sections (setup, gameplay, winning conditions) and fills in what it can from the game's details, such as the title, players and play time.
- What you can do: choose Start from scratch when your game needs its own structure, for example a campaign book or a card-driven rules sheet.
- Good to know: the tab header reads "Rules Drafting: Craft Clear, Professional Rulebooks". The template is a starting point; delete any section you do not need.
Write and format
Type as in any document. The toolbar above the text handles headings, bold and italic, bulleted and numbered lists, tables, images and more. Most options have the usual keyboard shortcuts.
Helpful details
- Key areas: the toolbar also has an AI commands button that can rewrite, shorten or continue the selected text, and a Download menu (see below).
- What you can do: paste from Word or Google Docs; headings and bullets usually come through.
- Good to know: the document saves by itself a moment after you stop typing and shows "Saved". There is no save button.
Keep several rule documents
Each rule document is a sub-tab above the editor. Click Add Rule to create another one, for example "Quick start" or "Solo variant".
Helpful details
- Key areas: hover a sub-tab and click the pencil to rename it. Delete removes the open document after a confirmation.
- What you can do: keep the full rules and a two-page quick start side by side, each downloadable on its own.
- Good to know: deleting a document cannot be undone. Download a PDF first if you want a copy.
Download your rules
Open the Download menu in the toolbar and pick Download PDF, Download HTML or Download BGG Markup.
Helpful details
- Key areas: the file is named after the game and the rule document.
- What you can do: send the PDF to playtesters or a publisher, keep the HTML for your website, and paste the BGG markup into a BoardGameGeek thread or file description.
- Good to know: the PDF is functional rather than designed. For the printed rulebook, take the text into a layout tool.
Put the rulebook on your catalog
The Rules tab is never shown on your public catalog. To offer the rules to visitors, download the PDF, then upload it on the Media tab with the type Rulebook and Public share on. The catalog shows it as Download Rulebook.
Tips & common questions
Can I version the rules? Download a PDF before a major rewrite and log the change under Versions in the game header. See Game versions.
Can two people edit at the same time? Not live. The last save wins, so agree who edits the rules at a given time.
What should the structure look like? A common order: overview, components, setup, goal, turn structure, actions, end of game and scoring, then an appendix for edge cases. Use one heading level per section and one below for sub-sections.
Where do I keep notes about rules I am testing? In Notes (game header), not in the rulebook. The rulebook is what players read. See Game notes.
Can I import a Word document? Paste its text into the editor. Footnotes, comments and tracked changes do not carry over.