Resources · 22 pieces, free
Contract ops resources for startups
In plain English
Practical, Word-native contract guidance for founders and ops teams who negotiate real MSAs without a legal department or an enterprise CLM budget. Definitions, how-to guides, checklists, and comparisons you can pin, share, and run before the next MSA_final_FINAL(2).docx ships to a customer.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Escalate material risk to a licensed attorney.
Why this library exists
Somewhere right now a meaningful deal is stuck in email because nobody wants to admit they're not sure which version is real.
Enterprise CLM solved that years ago for companies that can spend a salary on software and another on implementation. Everyone else got a shared drive, Track Changes folklore, and a checklist they kept meaning to write.
This is the library for the second group: witty where it helps, sharp where clauses matter, and soft-sell only after you've taken the useful part.
Every page says who wrote it, when it was published and last changed, and how it was made, including where AI tools were used. The full note is on the about page.
How the library is organized
01
Definitions
Plain-English primers
Best when: You need shared vocabulary fast
02
Guides
How-tos and clause explainers
Best when: You're mid-negotiation or building process
03
Checklists
Scannable passes before signature
Best when: You want a repeatable team standard
04
Comparisons
Category trade-offs
Best when: You're buying tools or choosing workflow
The linking is intentional: clause guides point at checklists, checklists point at deep dives, and comparisons point at definitions.
§ 1. Definitions (2)
Plain-English primers
What Is an MSA?
Master Services Agreements in plain English: what they cover, how they relate to SOWs, and what founders should not skim.
Read the definition →
What Is Contract Lifecycle Management?
CLM without the buzzword fog: intake, review, redline, sign, store, renew, and what "good" looks like at startup stage.
Read the definition →
§ 2. Guides (16)
How-tos and clause explainers
MSA vs SOW vs Order Form
What each document does, how they stack, which one wins in a conflict, and what to track from each. Includes a one-page chart.
Read the guide →
Build a Searchable Contract Archive
Inventory, naming, metadata, folders, and search: a five-step system for a startup's contracts, with a free spreadsheet template.
Read the guide →
How to Review an MSA Without a Lawyer
A structured founder/ops pass: what to read first, what to escalate, and how to stay out of silent-edit territory.
Read the guide →
AI Contract Review With Citations
How citation-backed AI speeds human review, without pretending the model is your counsel.
Read the guide →
Contract Version Control: End Final v7
Kill `FINAL_v7_REAL.docx`. Naming, ownership, and history habits that keep the canonical file canonical.
Read the guide →
Liability Cap for Startups
What liability caps do, fee multiples, carve-outs, and walk-away signals. Not legal advice.
Read the guide →
Indemnity Clauses Explained
Who pays whom when third parties sue: mutual vs one-sided, IP/data triggers, and cap interaction.
Read the guide →
Auto-Renewal Clauses & Notice Windows
Evergreen terms, 30 vs 60–90 day notices, calendar tactics, and uplift redlines.
Read the guide →
Word Tracked Changes Negotiation
Redline etiquette, accept/reject discipline, and Word-native workflow that counterparties already understand.
Read the guide →
E-Signature and Redline Workflow
From redline → approve → sign without losing the record. Freeze the agreed Word draft, then e-sign that exact text.
Read the guide →
Internal Notes vs Counterparty Comments
Two-channel negotiation: strategy stays internal, Word comments stay sendable, without accidental reply-all.
Read the guide →
Assignment and Change of Control
Financing, acquisition, and anti-assignment traps in the "boilerplate" that can stall a raise or a sale. Not legal advice.
Read the guide →
Contract Audit Trail: Who Agreed?
Attribution and immutable versions so you can answer “who agreed to this clause?” in diligence, not folklore.
Read the guide →
When Do You Need a DPA?
Startup view: when a Data Processing Agreement actually attaches: processors, personal data, and what to escalate.
Read the guide →
Net 30 vs Net 60 Negotiation
Cash-flow math for founders: silent payment-term edits, late fees, and when Net 60 is a concession.
Read the guide →
Pinning Standard Terms for AI Review
Pin playbook positions so humans and cited AI flag deviations from your standard terms, not from vibes.
Read the guide →
§ 3. Checklists (3)
Scannable passes before signature
Startup MSA Redline Checklist
The pin-this standard: parties, term, fees, IP, data, indemnity, liability, and walk-away signals.
Read the checklist →
Vendor Contract Review Checklist
Buyer-side pass for SaaS and services vendors: renewals, data, liability, and version hygiene.
Read the checklist →
NDA Redline Checklist
Pin-this NDA pass: mutual vs one-way, definition breadth, residuals, term, and non-solicit creep.
Read the checklist →
§ 4. Comparisons (1)
Category trade-offs
Suggested reading paths
Start where the problem is
| If you are… | Start here | Then read |
|---|---|---|
| New to MSAs | What is an MSA | MSA vs SOW vs order form, then the Startup MSA redline checklist |
| Mid-redline tonight | How to review an MSA without a lawyer | Liability caps and indemnity |
| Buying a vendor tool | Vendor contract review checklist | Auto-renewal notice windows |
| Drowning in finals | Contract version control | Word tracked changes negotiation, then e-signature and redline workflow |
| Contracts everywhere | Build a searchable contract archive | Auto-renewal notice windows |
| Shopping for CLM | What is CLM | CLM for small business vs enterprise |
| Leak-prone comments | Internal notes vs counterparty comments | Contract audit trail |
| Raising or selling | Assignment and change of control | Startup MSA redline checklist |
| Signing an NDA today | NDA redline checklist | When do you need a DPA? |
| Payment terms fight | Net 30 vs Net 60 | Pinning standard terms |
Frequently asked questions
Is this library legal advice?
No. These pages are operational education for founders and ops teams. They help you spot issues and standardize process. They do not create an attorney-client relationship. Escalate material risk to a licensed attorney.
Who is version90 for?
Small businesses and startups that review and manage contracts in Word without enterprise CLM overhead. Word-native redlines, AI that cites clauses, version history, unlimited seats, $100/mo. Counterparties stay in Word and email.
Can I share these checklists with my team?
Yes. Pin them, copy them into your wiki or shared drive, and treat deviations as decisions. Pair each checklist with one canonical .docx workflow so the standard survives contact with email.
What should I read before signing a vendor MSA?
Run the vendor contract review checklist, then go deeper on liability, indemnity, and auto-renewal as needed.
Where do I go if I want the product, not just the articles?
version90.com: Word-native contract review and management, $100/mo, unlimited seats. Soft sell, hard against FINAL(2).docx.
In witness whereof
Steal the checklist. Then keep the record.
Take the Startup MSA redline checklist, pick the one clause guide your last deal deserved, and put version truth somewhere adults can find it. When you're ready for Word-native review with citations and history, version90 is $100/month with unlimited users.