diff --git a/client/ayon_maya/api/pipeline.py b/client/ayon_maya/api/pipeline.py
index 71937860..5b34a40a 100644
--- a/client/ayon_maya/api/pipeline.py
+++ b/client/ayon_maya/api/pipeline.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
     is_workfile_locked,
     is_workfile_lock_enabled
 )
+
 from ayon_maya import MAYA_ROOT_DIR
 from ayon_maya.lib import create_workspace_mel
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py b/client/ayon_maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py
index f4f9a349..dac8452d 100644
--- a/client/ayon_maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py
+++ b/client/ayon_maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py
@@ -246,9 +246,9 @@ def read(self, node):
         return data
 
 
-def build_workfile_template(*args):
+def build_workfile_template(*args, **kwargs):
     builder = MayaTemplateBuilder(registered_host())
-    builder.build_template()
+    builder.build_template(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
 def update_workfile_template(*args):
diff --git a/client/ayon_maya/startup/userSetup.py b/client/ayon_maya/startup/userSetup.py
index 600864fd..bc6b1abe 100644
--- a/client/ayon_maya/startup/userSetup.py
+++ b/client/ayon_maya/startup/userSetup.py
@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@
 
 from ayon_core.settings import get_project_settings
 from ayon_core.pipeline import install_host, get_current_project_name
-from ayon_maya.api import MayaHost
+from ayon_maya.api import MayaHost, workfile_template_builder
+from ayon_core.pipeline.workfile.workfile_template_builder import (
+    TemplateProfileNotFound
+)
 
 from maya import cmds
 
@@ -39,8 +42,19 @@ def _explicit_load_plugins():
 if bool(int(os.environ.get(key, "0"))):
     def _log_and_open():
         path = os.environ["AYON_LAST_WORKFILE"]
-        print("Opening \"{}\"".format(path))
-        cmds.file(path, open=True, force=True)
+        if os.path.exists(path):
+            print("Opening \"{}\"".format(path))
+            cmds.file(path, open=True, force=True)
+        else:
+            try:
+                workfile_template_builder.build_workfile_template(
+                    workfile_creation_enabled=True)
+            except TemplateProfileNotFound:
+                print(
+                    "No workfile template profile enabled for current context. "
+                    "Skipping workfile creation."
+                )
+            
     cmds.evalDeferred(
         _log_and_open,
         lowestPriority=True
diff --git a/server/settings/templated_workfile_settings.py b/server/settings/templated_workfile_settings.py
index 1baa2c89..e7025471 100644
--- a/server/settings/templated_workfile_settings.py
+++ b/server/settings/templated_workfile_settings.py
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@ class WorkfileBuildProfilesModel(BaseSettingsModel):
         default_factory=list, title="Task names"
     )
     path: str = SettingsField("", title="Path to template")
+    keep_placeholder: bool = SettingsField(
+        False,
+        title="Keep placeholders")
+    create_first_version: bool = SettingsField(
+        True,
+        title="Create first version"
+    )
 
 
 class TemplatedProfilesModel(BaseSettingsModel):