Whisper gives you two different tools to structure a call: Checklists and Templates. They sit next to each other in the header and look similar, but they serve very different purposes — understanding the difference is one of the most useful things to know about Whisper.
Checklist: Your Manual Script
A Checklist is a step-by-step guide that you manually follow during the call — think of it as a script or playbook.
You manually check off each step as you complete it.
Steps appear in order (e.g., Greeting → Ask about website → Identify segment → Select template).
Some steps have interactive Yes/No or multiple-choice buttons.
Selecting a branch surfaces a suggested response script below it.
A progress counter shows how many steps you've completed (e.g., "2/4").
The checklist is static — it doesn't change based on the conversation; you drive it.
There are two types of checklists:
Type | When it appears | Purpose |
Opening Checklist | Immediately when you select a checklist, before template selection | Guides the first minutes: greeting, qualifying the customer, identifying their segment |
Closing Checklist | After you select a template (once the call is underway) | Guides the wrap-up: confirming next steps, thanking the customer, generating a summary |
Template: The Agenda the AI Tracks
A Template defines the structure of your meeting — what topics you should cover and what questions to ask under each one.
Selecting a template automatically loads its topics and questions.
The AI listens to your conversation and automatically tracks which topics and questions have been discussed.
A Topic Progress Strip shows every topic with a color-coded status: gray = not yet discussed, yellow = currently being discussed, green = covered.
Questions under each topic are checked off automatically as they come up.
The template enables Agenda Tracking — the AI nudges you if you're spending too long on a topic or should move to the next one.
Once selected, the template is locked for the rest of the meeting.
When you select a template:
The dropdown closes
A brief loading indicator appears
The Topic Progress Strip replaces the Opening Checklist
The Closing Checklist (if one exists) appears below it, collapsed by default
The AI starts monitoring your conversation against the template
Using Checklist + Template Together
Here's the recommended flow when both are configured:
Recording starts.
Select a Checklist → the Opening Checklist appears.
Follow the opening steps (greeting, qualifying, etc.).
Select a Template → the Opening Checklist disappears and Topic Progress appears.
The Closing Checklist appears below, collapsed.
The AI tracks topics automatically during the call.
Near the end, expand the Closing Checklist.
Follow the closing steps and generate a summary.
Stop recording.
New to Whisper? Start with What is Spiky Whisper? for how to log in and start a recording. Once your Template is tracking the call, head to The Whisper Live Stream to see what the AI surfaces next.