> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.decodahealth.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Overview > Create clinical notes, use AI-powered scribe for automated documentation, and manage attachments and photo records. **Prerequisites:** You should have at least one [Note Template](/modules/settings/note-templates) configured and [Providers](/modules/settings/users) assigned before creating notes. Templates define the structure of your clinical notes. Clinical notes in Decoda document patient encounters, treatments, and observations. Notes are built on structured templates with defined questions and answer fields, and can be created manually, generated by AI Scribe from audio recordings, or produced from uploaded documents. Every note is linked to a patient, a provider, and optionally an appointment. Notes keep your clinical documentation organized, searchable, and consistent across providers. With AI Scribe, providers can record an appointment and get a structured note generated automatically — no typing required. Record an appointment and let AI generate a structured clinical note. Run a Google Meet video visit that the AI scribe joins and turns into a note. Write a note by hand using a structured template. Upload images or PDFs and optionally extract note content with AI. View and annotate all medical attachments across patients. ## Notes List The **Notes** page displays all clinical notes in your organization, grouped into **Notes Taken Today** and **Earlier Notes**. Each row shows the patient name, a preview of the note content, contributing providers, the template used, visit date, and last edited date. Notes that have been signed off display a green checkmark. Pinned notes appear at the top of the list. ### Filter and Search Notes Use the filter bar above the notes table to narrow results: * **Note ID:** Search for a specific note by its ID. * **Patient Name:** Filter by the patient's name. * **Patient ID:** Search by patient ID. * **Provider:** Select one or more providers to see only their notes. * **Locations:** Filter by clinic location (visible when the Locations module is enabled). * **Template:** Select one or more templates to see only notes created with those templates. * **Created Date:** Filter by the date the note was created. * **Sign-off Status:** Filter by whether notes are **Signed** or **Unsigned**. By default, the list is filtered to the current provider and primary location. Click **Clear Filters** to reset. ### Note Actions Click the actions menu (three-dot icon) on any note row to access: * **Edit** -- Open the note in the playground editor. * **View** -- Preview the note in a read-only view. * **Print** -- Print the note or export it to PDF. * **Duplicate** -- Create a copy of the note with the same template and answers. * **Pin / Unpin Note** -- Pin a note so it appears at the top of lists. Pinned notes are visible in the patient chart as well. * **View Appointment** -- Navigate to the linked appointment on the calendar (only shown if the note is linked to an appointment). * **Resume** -- For AI notes that were started but not yet generated, resume the recording session. * **Delete** -- Permanently delete the note. Requires the **Archive Notes** permission. ## Create a New Note Click the **New Note** button at the top of the Notes page. If a patient is already selected (for example, from within a patient chart), a dropdown appears offering **AI Note** or **Manual Note**. Otherwise, a window opens where you choose: 1. **Patient** -- Search and select the patient. 2. **Note Type** -- AI Note, Manual Note, or Upload. 3. **Template** -- For manual notes, select a template before creation. For AI notes, the template is selected during or after recording. ## Quick Notes Quick notes are short, freeform text notes that can be attached to an appointment from the calendar. Unlike clinical notes, quick notes do not use templates or structured fields. They are designed for brief observations or follow-up details (for example, "Patient arrived 10 minutes late" or "Rescheduled from last week"). Quick notes are created and edited from the appointment detail panel on the calendar. ## Advanced Configuration Templates are created and managed under **Settings > Note Templates**. From there you can: * Create new templates with structured questions (text, multi-select, toggles, file uploads, scribe attachments). * Set provider access controls to restrict which providers can use each template. * Configure note expiry periods. * Manage image tags for categorizing attachment photos. * Duplicate or delete templates. * Bulk delete multiple templates at once. See [Note Templates Settings](/modules/settings/note-templates) for full details. The AI Scribe assistant can be customized under **Settings > Assistants > Scribe**: * **Assistant Name** -- Set a display name for the scribe assistant. * **Custom Prompt** -- Provide specific instructions that guide how the AI generates notes from transcripts. Use dynamic variables (patient info, tenant details) for personalized output. * **AI Model** -- Select which AI model powers the scribe (for example, different models may offer varying speed/quality tradeoffs). See [Assistants Settings](/modules/settings/assistants) for details. Each provider can toggle automatic note sign-off in **Settings > Preferences**. When enabled, notes created by that provider are automatically signed off upon saving, eliminating the need for a separate sign-off step. This is useful for solo practitioners who review notes as they write them. Image tags help categorize attachment photos across notes. Tags are managed under **Settings > Note Templates** in the **Image Tags** section at the bottom of the page. Each tag has a name and color. Tags can be applied to individual attachments within a note, or assigned to multiple photos at once using bulk actions, for better organization and searchability. Several permissions control access to note features: * **AI Scribe Use** -- Required to create AI notes and access recording features. Without this permission, only manual notes are available. * **Upload Notes** -- Required to upload documents and images to create notes. * **Sign Off Notes** -- Required to sign off on notes. Providers without this permission cannot finalize notes. * **Archive Notes** -- Required to delete notes from the notes list. Permissions are configured under **Settings > Users & Roles**.