- name
- incorporate
- description
- Generate complete incorporation documents for a new business entity. Use when forming a C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC in any US state. Produces Articles of Incorporation/Organization, Bylaws/Operating Agreement, Incorporator Action, Organizational Resolutions, Stock/Membership Ledger, and Filing Checklist — all from a simple config. Handles cap tables, voting structures, registered agents, and multi-class stock. Currently optimized for Nevada; extensible to other states.
Incorporate — Business Formation Document Generator
Generate all legal documents needed to incorporate a business entity from a single configuration.
Supported Entity Types & States
| Entity | States | Reference File |
|---|---|---|
| C-Corp | Nevada | references/nevada-corp.md |
| C-Corp | Delaware | references/delaware-corp.md |
| LLC | Nevada | references/nevada-llc.md |
| LLC | Delaware | references/delaware-llc.md |
Quick Start
- Ask the user for their company details (or have them fill out the config)
- Read
references/config-template.md— this is the input format - Read the appropriate state + entity reference file (see table above)
- Read the document templates from
assets/templates/(usede-*for Delaware,llc-*for LLCs) - Generate all documents using the config values
- Upload to Google Drive (or output as .docx files)
Workflow
Step 1: Gather Configuration
Ask the user these questions (or accept a pre-filled config):
Required:
- Company name
- Entity type (C-Corp, LLC)
- State of incorporation
- Registered agent name + address
- Directors/managers (names, titles)
- Shareholders/members (names, share counts or %)
- Stock structure (classes, authorized shares, par value, voting rights)
Optional (defaults provided):
- Par value (default: $0.00001)
- Fiscal year end (default: December 31)
- Consideration type (default: "Services")
- Principal office address (default: registered agent address)
Option Pool (recommended):
- Option pool size (shares reserved for future employees/advisors)
- Standard startup range: 10-20% of authorized common
Validate the config: share percentages must total 100%, authorized shares must cover all issuances (including option pool reserve).
Step 2: Select Entity + State References
Based on entity type and state, read the appropriate reference file:
- Nevada C-Corp →
references/nevada-corp.md - Delaware C-Corp →
references/delaware-corp.md - Nevada LLC →
references/nevada-llc.md - Delaware LLC →
references/delaware-llc.md
Key decision guidance for the user:
- C-Corp vs LLC: C-Corp for VC fundraising, multiple stock classes, going public. LLC for simpler businesses, pass-through taxation, flexible profit distribution.
- Delaware vs Nevada: Delaware for investor expectations, Court of Chancery, VC-standard docs. Nevada for no franchise tax, lower annual costs, privacy.
- Delaware C-Corp warning: Franchise tax can be very high with many authorized shares — always use the Assumed Par Value Capital Method (see delaware-corp.md).
Step 3: Generate Documents
Read each template from assets/templates/ and replace all {{VARIABLES}} with config values. Templates are in Markdown — convert to .docx for final output.
Documents generated (C-Corp):
- Articles of Incorporation — filed with Secretary of State
- Bylaws — internal governance rules
- Action of Incorporator — appoints initial board
- Organizational Resolutions — board adopts bylaws, elects officers, authorizes stock
- Stock Ledger — records all share ownership + voting power summary
- Filing Checklist — step-by-step guide with links, 83(b) deadline tracking, Year 1 compliance calendar, and bank account requirements
- 83(b) Election Form *(auto-generated if stock issued for services)* — IRS election to lock in tax basis at par value. Includes instructions + filing checklist. CRITICAL: must be filed within 30 days of stock issuance.
- Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (RSPA) — template for each stockholder receiving shares. Covers vesting, repurchase option, transfer restrictions, 83(b) acknowledgment, spousal consent. ⚠️ Complex arrangements should involve legal review.
Documents generated (LLC):
- Articles of Organization — filed with Secretary of State (template:
llc-01-articles-of-organization.md) - Operating Agreement — governance, economics, member rights (template:
llc-02-operating-agreement.md) - Membership Ledger — records ownership and transfers (template:
llc-03-membership-ledger.md) - Filing Checklist — step-by-step guide (template:
llc-04-filing-checklist.md)
Delaware C-Corp uses different template for Articles:
- Use
de-01-certificate-of-incorporation.mdinstead of01-articles-of-incorporation.md - Delaware calls it "Certificate of Incorporation" not "Articles"
- Includes exculpation clause (DGCL §102(b)(7)) and blank check preferred authorization
- All other C-Corp documents (Bylaws, Action, Resolutions, Stock Ledger, Checklist) are the same with state-specific adjustments
Step 4: Format + Deliver
- All text: Times New Roman, black, 12pt headers, 11pt body
- Tables: bordered, alternating row shading, dark blue headers
- Highlight in yellow any fields that still need manual input
- Upload to Google Drive or save as local .docx files
- Link each document from the Filing Checklist
Step 5: Walk Through Next Steps
After generating docs, brief the user on filing sequence:
- File Articles with Secretary of State (online if available)
- File Initial List of Officers (bundled with Articles in Nevada)
- Sign Action of Incorporator (after filing confirmed)
- Hold organizational meeting / sign resolutions
- Issue stock / record in ledger
- File 83(b) elections within 30 days — every stockholder receiving shares for services (see state reference for details)
- Obtain EIN from IRS (note: non-US founders need a US-based officer with SSN to apply online)
- Execute Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements (RSPAs) with all stockholders
- Open corporate bank account (bring: EIN, filed Articles, Bylaws, Resolutions, IDs)
Post-Filing Guide
After documents are generated and filed, read references/post-filing-learnings.md for real-world guidance on:
- Actual filing costs (vs. estimates)
- SilverFlume server error handling
- EIN application gotchas (non-US founders)
- 83(b) election 30-day deadline management
- Common mistakes to avoid
- DIY vs. lawyer cost comparison
This file was built from a real Nevada C-Corp filing (March 2026) and captures lessons that aren't in any template.
Important Notes
- These are standard formation documents, not legal advice
- Complex structures (convertible notes, vesting schedules, multiple preferred series) should involve a lawyer
- State-specific requirements vary — always check the state reference file
- Annual maintenance requirements differ by state — included in checklist
- Delaware franchise tax can be very expensive — see
references/delaware-corp.mdfor the Assumed Par Value method - LLC operating agreements are highly customizable — the template covers standard provisions but complex arrangements (waterfall distributions, vesting, drag-along rights) need legal review