add-template

Add Template

Load the rules first. Before you read, edit, or write any .plain file, invoke the load-plain-reference skill and read the rule files it routes you to. Skip this only if load-plain-reference already ran in this conversation.

Templates use Liquid syntax ({% include %}) to reuse the same spec content across multiple .plain files. Each inclusion can pass different parameters, producing tailored output from a single source. This is distinct from import and requires — templates are about textual reuse with parameterization, not module dependencies.

When to Use Templates

• The exact same spec structure is needed in more than one .plain file.
• The reused content differs only in specific values (names, paths, config) that can be parameterized.
• You want a single source of truth for a pattern that appears in multiple modules.

Format

Including a Template

Use {% include %} with the template path and parameters:

{% include "console_app_template.plain", main_file_name: "app.py", app_name: "MyApp" %}

Parameters are passed as key-value pairs after the template path. Inside the template, parameters are accessed using Liquid variable syntax ({{ main_file_name }}).

Writing a Template

Templates live in the template/ directory. Only variables ({{ variable_name }}) are supported — conditionals, loops, and other Liquid features are not available:

***definitions***
- :{{ app_name }}MainFile: is the entry point file for :{{ app_name }}:.

***implementation reqs***
- :{{ app_name }}MainFile: should be called "{{ main_file_name }}".

Workflow: Including an Existing Template

1. Check the template/ directory to see what templates are available.
2. Read the template to understand what parameters it expects and what content it produces.
3. Add the {% include %} statement to the target .plain file with the correct parameters.
4. Verify that the expanded content does not introduce concept name collisions or duplicate sections.

Workflow: Creating a New Template

1. Identify the repeated pattern — find spec content that is duplicated (or will be duplicated) across multiple .plain files.
2. Extract the common content into a new .plain file in the template/ directory.
3. Parameterize the differences — replace the varying parts with Liquid variables.
4. Update the original files to use {% include %} instead of the duplicated content.

Validation Checklist

• Template file is in the template/ directory
• All varying parts are parameterized with Liquid variables
• All required parameters are passed at each {% include %} call site
• Expanded content does not introduce concept name collisions
• Template is used by more than one .plain file (otherwise, inline the content)