Archie Playbooks Best Practices

This guide covers the purpose and functionality of Archie Playbooks, including what they can and cannot do, and best practices for writing rules that deliver reliable, consistent results.

New to Archie? Learn more about Archie AI.

Please note, you will need to install the Archie Word Add-In to use Playbooks. 

Click here to Jump to Suggested Playbooks by Practice Area!

Playbooks allow you to define rules that Archie uses to review documents in Word. This helps ensure required clauses, sections, and language are consistently included across your firm’s documents.

Before You Begin

Make sure:

• The Smokeball AI (Archie) add-in is open in Microsoft Word
• You are working in a document you want to review or use for testing

Step 1: Open Archie in Word

1. Open a document in Microsoft Word
2. Launch the Smokeball AI (Archie) add-in from the toolbar
3. Navigate to the Playbooks section in the Archie panel by selecting the "Review" button on the lower right.

Step 2: Create a New Playbook

1. In the Playbooks section, click "+ Add" at the top right.
2. Enter a Playbook Name (e.g., “Employment Agreement Review”)
3. (Optional) Add a short description to explain what the playbook checks
4. (Optional) Choose the associated Matter Types

Step 3: Add Rules to Your Playbook

1. Click Add Rule
    
2. Enter:
   • Rule Name (what users will see)
   • Rule Description (what Archie evaluates)
3. Save the rule

Repeat this process for each requirement you want to check.

Writing Effective Rules

Each rule should be:

• Specific
• Answerable using only the document text
• Clear in what passes vs. fails

Recommended Format

The document must [contain/include/state] [specific element] [in a defined location].

Example

• The document must include a clause stating the notice period for termination by both parties.

Step 4: Run a Playbook

1. Open the document you want to review
2. In the Archie panel, select your playbook
3. Click Run Playbook

Archie will analyze the document and return results for each rule.

Step 5: Review Results

Each rule will return one of the following:

• Passed – Requirement is met
• Warning – May need review (option to add a comment)
• Issue – Missing or incomplete content

Click into each rule to view details.

Step 6: Apply Fixes or Add Comments

• For Issues, click Apply Fix (if available) to insert suggested text
• For Warnings, insert a Word comment for review
• If content is missing entirely, manually update the document

Once a fix is applied, the rule updates to Passed.

Important: What Archie Can and Cannot Check

Archie only reviews the text within the open Word document.

Archie can check:

• Required clauses and sections
• Specific wording or phrases
• Statutory references
• Party labels and structure

Archie cannot check:

• Accuracy of names, dates, or amounts
• Whether content matches Smokeball matter data
• Legal correctness or strategy

Note: Playbooks check document structure and content—not accuracy.

Rule Writing Guidelines

Do:

• Check for specific, clearly defined elements
• Reference sections or clauses where possible
• Use precise language
• Create separate rules for separate requirements
• Test rules on real documents

Don’t:

• Rely on Smokeball matter data
• Use vague terms like “accurate” or “complete”
• Combine unrelated checks into one rule
• Expect Archie to assess legal quality
• Create rules for formatting (bold, italics, etc.)

Before Publishing a Playbook

• Can every rule be answered using only the document text?
• Is each pass/fail condition clear?
• Have you tested it on a real document?
• Are rules focused on structure—not legal judgment?

Example Rules by Practice Area

Family Law (Dissolution Petition)

Rule Example:
“The document must include a name, residential address, and state residency duration for both parties in the opening section.”

Employment Law (Employment Agreement)

Rule Example:
“If a non-compete clause is included, it must specify duration, geographic scope, and restricted activities.”

Real Estate (Purchase Agreement)

Rule Example:
“The agreement must state the purchase price as a dollar amount and identify the earnest money deposit and holder.”

Wills & Estates (Last Will and Testament)

Rule Example:
“The will must include an attestation clause and signature blocks for at least two witnesses.”

Other Playbook Use Cases by Practice Area

The document types below are examples to get you started:

General (used across practice areas): Engagement Letters, Client Advice Letters, Complaints, Discovery Requests & Responses, Settlement Agreements
Family: Petitions for Divorce, Discovery Requests & Responses, Parenting Plans / Agreements, Marital Settlement Agreements
Personal Injury: Complaints, Demand Letters, Discovery Requests & Responses, Settlement Agreements & Release
Real Estate: Commercial Purchase Agreements, Commercial Leases, Deeds, Title Objection Letters
Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney for Healthcare or Property, Healthcare Directives / Advance Directives
Criminal: Motions (Motion to Suppress, Motion in Limine, Motion to Dismiss), Memorandums (Case Assessment, Trial Preparation, Sentencing), Client Plea Advisory LettersGeneral (used across practice areas)

Summary

Playbooks help standardize document review by checking for required content and structure. For best results, create clear, specific rules and test them before sharing with your team.