> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sendkit.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates

> Design reusable email templates with a visual editor and dynamic personalization.

## What are templates?

Templates are reusable email designs that you use in campaigns, automations, and test sends. Instead of writing HTML from scratch every time, you build a template once and reuse it wherever you need it.

Each template stores the subject line, sender, HTML body, and plain text version — along with any personalization variables.

## Creating a template

Go to **Templates** and click **Create Template**. A new draft template is created with a default name, and you're taken straight to the editor.

## The editor

SendKit uses a visual editor where you type and format content directly — no HTML knowledge needed. Type `/` to open the command menu and insert any block.

### Available blocks

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Text">
    Paragraph, Heading 1–3, Bullet list, Numbered list, Quote, Code block, Link
  </Card>

  <Card title="Media">
    Image (upload), YouTube embed, X/Twitter embed
  </Card>

  <Card title="Layout">
    Button (CTA), Divider, Section, Social links
  </Card>

  <Card title="Utility">
    Raw HTML, Variable
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Auto-save

The editor saves automatically as you type. You'll see a save indicator in the header — no need to manually save.

### Template settings

In the editor sidebar, you can configure:

| Field        | Description                                                             |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**     | Internal name for organizing templates (recipients don't see this)      |
| **Subject**  | Email subject line. Supports variables like `{{FIRST_NAME}}`            |
| **From**     | Select a [sender](/knowledge-base/senders) to use as the "from" address |
| **Reply-To** | Optional reply-to email address                                         |

## Personalization variables

Templates support dynamic variables that are replaced with each recipient's data when the email is sent.

### Built-in variables

| Variable         | Replaced with                |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------- |
| `{{EMAIL}}`      | Contact's email address      |
| `{{FIRST_NAME}}` | Contact's first name         |
| `{{LAST_NAME}}`  | Contact's last name          |
| `{{FULL_NAME}}`  | First and last name combined |
| `{{USER_ID}}`    | Contact's user ID            |

### Custom variables

Any [property](/knowledge-base/properties) you create is automatically available as a variable. For example, a property with key `company_name` becomes `{{COMPANY_NAME}}`.

### Fallback values

Each variable can have a fallback value — used when the contact doesn't have that data set. For example, `{{FIRST_NAME}}` with fallback `"there"` renders as "Hello, there" for contacts without a first name.

<Note>
  Variables work in both the **subject line** and the **template body**. You can add up to 50 variables per template.
</Note>

## Publishing

Templates have two statuses:

| Status        | Description                                                            |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Draft**     | Work in progress. Can be edited freely but cannot be used in campaigns |
| **Published** | Ready to use. Can be selected when creating campaigns and automations  |

Click **Publish** in the editor header to change a draft to published. You can unpublish at any time.

## Preview and test

### Preview

The template detail page has three tabs:

* **Preview** — Rendered HTML as recipients will see it
* **HTML** — Raw HTML source code with copy button
* **Plain Text** — Auto-generated plain text version

### Send a test email

Click **Send test email** from the template detail page or editor. Enter a recipient email (defaults to your own) and optionally fill in variable values to see how personalization looks.

<Info>
  Test emails have "\[Test]" prefixed to the subject line so you can easily identify them in your inbox.
</Info>

## Folders

Folders let you organize templates into groups. For example, you might create folders for "Onboarding", "Newsletter", or "Transactional".

### Creating a folder

Click the folder icon button next to **Create Template** in the top right. Enter a name and click **Create folder**. The folder appears as a tab in the template list.

### Browsing folders

The template list shows horizontal tabs for filtering:

* **All templates** shows every template regardless of folder
* Each folder tab shows only templates in that folder, with a count
* **Unassigned** shows templates that aren't in any folder

### Moving templates to a folder

Open the template's dropdown menu (three dots) and select **Move to folder**, then choose the destination. To remove a template from a folder, select **Remove from folder** from the same menu.

### Renaming and deleting folders

Hover over a folder tab to reveal the options button. Click it to rename or delete the folder. Deleting a folder does not delete the templates inside it — they become unassigned.

<Note>
  Folder names must be unique within your team. Duplicating a template preserves its folder assignment.
</Note>

## Duplicating a template

Click **Duplicate** from the template dropdown menu. A copy is created with "(Copy)" appended to the name. The duplicate starts as a **Draft** regardless of the original's status.

All content, variables, sender, and settings are copied — except images.

## Deleting a template

A template can be deleted if it's not used by any unsent campaign (draft, scheduled, or sending) or active/paused automation. Templates used only by already-sent campaigns can be deleted.

<Note>
  Deleted templates are soft-deleted — the data is preserved for email history. Sent campaigns and emails still reference the original template.
</Note>

## Images

You can upload images directly in the editor. Images are stored and served by SendKit — no need for external hosting. Maximum file size is **5 MB** per image.

## Using templates in campaigns and automations

When creating a [campaign](/knowledge-base/campaigns) or an [automation](/knowledge-base/automations) email step, you select a published template. The template's subject, sender, and body are used, with variables replaced per contact at send time.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need to know HTML?">
    No. The visual editor lets you build emails by typing and using the slash command menu. For advanced users, you can insert raw HTML blocks if needed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I edit a template after it's used in a campaign?">
    Yes, but changes won't affect emails that were already sent. Sent emails store a snapshot of the template at the time of sending.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is a plain text version generated automatically?">
    Yes. SendKit automatically generates a plain text version from your HTML content. You don't need to create it manually.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How many templates can I create?">
    There's no limit. Create as many templates as you need.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same template in multiple campaigns?">
    Yes. Templates are reusable — you can select the same template for any number of campaigns and automations.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens to templates when I delete a folder?">
    The templates become unassigned — they're not deleted. You can find them in the "Unassigned" tab and move them to another folder.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I nest folders inside other folders?">
    No. Folders are a single level. There are no subfolders.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>