FeaturesTemplates & Automation

Templates

Templates in Lokus provide reusable structures for common note types, saving time and ensuring consistency across your workspace. From meeting notes to project plans, templates help you start with the right structure every time.

Overview

Templates are pre-formatted notes with placeholders, predefined properties, and standard sections that you can quickly apply when creating new content. Whether you’re documenting meetings, planning projects, or tracking daily tasks, templates streamline your workflow.

Key Features

  • Pre-built templates for common use cases
  • Custom templates with your own structure
  • Variable substitution for dynamic content
  • Template categories and organization
  • Quick access via command palette
  • Template sharing with your team

Using Templates

Creating from Template

Create a new note from a template:

Method 1: Command Palette

  1. Press Cmd/Ctrl + P
  2. Type “new from template”
  3. Select template
  4. Fill in variables
  5. Create note

Method 2: File Menu

  1. File → New from Template
  2. Browse template gallery
  3. Select template
  4. Configure options
  5. Create note

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcut

  1. Press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N
  2. Quick template picker appears
  3. Type to filter templates
  4. Select and create

Template Variables

Templates support dynamic variables:

Basic Variables:

---
title: {{title}}
date: {{date}}
author: {{author}}
---
 
# {{title}}
 
Created: {{date}}
By: {{author}}

Available Variables:

  • {{title}} - Note title
  • {{date}} - Current date (YYYY-MM-DD)
  • {{time}} - Current time (HH:MM)
  • {{datetime}} - Date and time
  • {{author}} - Current user
  • {{workspace}} - Workspace name
  • {{folder}} - Current folder path

Date Variables:

  • {{date:format}} - Custom date format
  • {{date+N}} - N days from now
  • {{date-N}} - N days ago
  • {{tomorrow}} - Tomorrow’s date
  • {{yesterday}} - Yesterday’s date
  • {{week-start}} - Start of current week
  • {{month-start}} - Start of current month

Custom Variables:

{{prompt:variable_name}}
{{prompt:project_name:Enter project name}}
{{select:status:active,planning,completed}}
{{multiline:description:Enter description}}

Template Properties

Set default frontmatter properties:

---
template: meeting-notes
tags: [meeting, {{team}}]
status: draft
attendees: {{prompt:attendees:Enter attendees}}
date: {{date}}
---

Built-in Templates

Meeting Notes

Structured meeting documentation:

---
template: meeting-notes
date: {{date}}
time: {{time}}
---
 
# {{title}}
 
**Date:** {{date}}
**Time:** {{time}}
**Attendees:** {{prompt:attendees}}
**Location:** {{prompt:location}}
 
## Agenda
 
1. {{prompt:agenda_item_1}}
2. {{prompt:agenda_item_2}}
3. {{prompt:agenda_item_3}}
 
## Discussion
 
### Topic 1
 
 
### Topic 2
 
 
## Action Items
 
- [ ] {{prompt:action_1}} @{{assignee}} 📅 {{date+7}}
- [ ] {{prompt:action_2}}
 
## Next Meeting
 
**Date:** {{prompt:next_meeting_date}}
**Topics:**
-
 
## Notes

Template System with Variable Substitution

Daily Note

Daily journaling and planning:

---
template: daily-note
date: {{date}}
tags: [daily]
---
 
# {{date:dddd, MMMM D, YYYY}}
 
## Morning Reflection
 
**How I'm feeling:**
 
**Today's priorities:**
1.
2.
3.
 
## Schedule
 
- 09:00 -
- 10:00 -
- 11:00 -
- 13:00 -
- 14:00 -
- 15:00 -
 
## Tasks
 
### Must Do Today
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
### Should Do
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
### Could Do
- [ ]
 
## Notes
 
 
## Evening Reflection
 
**What went well:**
 
**What to improve:**
 
**Tomorrow's focus:**
 
## Links
 
**Related Notes:**
- [[{{yesterday}}]]
- [[{{tomorrow}}]]

Project Plan

Comprehensive project structure:

---
template: project-plan
project: {{prompt:project_name}}
status: planning
start_date: {{date}}
tags: [project]
---
 
# {{project_name}}
 
## Project Overview
 
**Project Lead:** {{prompt:lead}}
**Start Date:** {{start_date}}
**Target Completion:** {{prompt:target_date}}
**Status:** {{status}}
 
## Objectives
 
1. {{prompt:objective_1}}
2. {{prompt:objective_2}}
3. {{prompt:objective_3}}
 
## Scope
 
### In Scope
 
 
### Out of Scope
 
 
## Stakeholders
 
| Name | Role | Contact |
|------|------|---------|
| {{prompt:stakeholder_1}} | {{prompt:role_1}} | |
| | | |
 
## Timeline
 
### Phase 1: Planning ({{date}} - {{date+14}})
- [ ] Define requirements
- [ ] Create specifications
- [ ] Get approvals
 
### Phase 2: Execution ({{date+15}} - {{date+45}})
- [ ] Development
- [ ] Testing
- [ ] Review
 
### Phase 3: Launch ({{date+46}} - {{date+60}})
- [ ] Final testing
- [ ] Deployment
- [ ] Documentation
 
## Resources
 
**Team:**
-
 
**Budget:**
-
 
**Tools:**
-
 
## Risks
 
| Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|--------|------------|
| | | |
 
## Success Metrics
 
1.
2.
3.
 
## Related Documents
 
- [[Project Charter]]
- [[Requirements Document]]
- [[Technical Specifications]]

Blog Post

Blog writing template:

---
template: blog-post
title: {{prompt:title}}
date: {{date}}
author: {{author}}
status: draft
tags: [blog, {{prompt:category}}]
---
 
# {{title}}
 
**Author:** {{author}}
**Published:** {{date}}
**Reading Time:** {{prompt:reading_time:Estimated reading time}}
**Category:** {{category}}
 
## Introduction
 
{{prompt:intro:Brief introduction}}
 
## Main Content
 
### Section 1
 
 
### Section 2
 
 
### Section 3
 
 
## Conclusion
 
 
## Key Takeaways
 
-
-
-
 
## Related Posts
 
- [[{{prompt:related_1}}]]
- [[{{prompt:related_2}}]]
 
## Meta
 
**SEO Title:** {{prompt:seo_title}}
**Description:** {{prompt:description}}
**Keywords:** {{prompt:keywords}}
**Featured Image:** {{prompt:image_url}}
 
---
 
*This post was published on {{date}} by {{author}}*

Technical Documentation

Technical doc template:

---
template: technical-doc
title: {{prompt:title}}
version: {{prompt:version:1.0.0}}
date: {{date}}
tags: [documentation, technical]
---
 
# {{title}}
 
**Version:** {{version}}
**Last Updated:** {{date}}
**Status:** {{select:status:draft,review,published}}
 
## Overview
 
{{prompt:overview}}
 
## Prerequisites
 
-
-
 
## Installation
 
` ` `bash
# Installation steps
` ` `
 
## Configuration
 
` ` `yaml
# Configuration example
` ` `
 
## Usage
 
### Basic Usage
 
` ` `{{prompt:language:javascript}}
// Code example
` ` `
 
### Advanced Usage
 
` ` `{{language}}
// Advanced example
` ` `
 
## API Reference
 
### Method 1
 
**Description:**
 
**Parameters:**
- `param1` (type): Description
- `param2` (type): Description
 
**Returns:**
 
**Example:**
` ` `{{language}}
 
` ` `
 
## Troubleshooting
 
### Issue 1
 
**Problem:**
 
**Solution:**
 
## Best Practices
 
1.
2.
3.
 
## FAQ
 
**Q: {{prompt:faq_1}}**
A:
 
## Related Documentation
 
- [[{{prompt:related_1}}]]
- [[API Reference]]
- [[Changelog]]
 
## Changelog
 
### Version {{version}} ({{date}})
- Initial release

Task List

Task tracking template:

---
template: task-list
title: {{prompt:title}}
date: {{date}}
tags: [tasks, {{prompt:project}}]
---
 
# {{title}}
 
**Created:** {{date}}
**Project:** {{project}}
**Owner:** {{prompt:owner}}
 
## High Priority
 
- [ ] {{prompt:high_1}} !high 📅 {{date+3}}
- [ ] {{prompt:high_2}} !high 📅 {{date+3}}
 
## Medium Priority
 
- [ ] {{prompt:med_1}} !medium 📅 {{date+7}}
- [ ] {{prompt:med_2}} !medium 📅 {{date+7}}
 
## Low Priority
 
- [ ] {{prompt:low_1}} !low
- [ ] {{prompt:low_2}} !low
 
## Backlog
 
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
## Completed
 
- [x]
 
## Notes

Research Note

Academic/research template:

---
template: research-note
title: {{prompt:title}}
date: {{date}}
author: {{author}}
tags: [research, {{prompt:topic}}]
---
 
# {{title}}
 
**Research Topic:** {{topic}}
**Date:** {{date}}
**Researcher:** {{author}}
**Status:** {{select:status:in-progress,completed,on-hold}}
 
## Research Question
 
{{prompt:question}}
 
## Hypothesis
 
 
## Methodology
 
 
## Data Collection
 
 
## Findings
 
### Key Findings
 
1.
2.
3.
 
### Supporting Evidence
 
 
## Analysis
 
 
## Conclusion
 
 
## Future Research
 
 
## References
 
1. {{prompt:ref_1}}
2. {{prompt:ref_2}}
3.
 
## Related Research
 
- [[{{prompt:related_1}}]]
- [[Literature Review]]
 
## Notes

Creating Custom Templates

Template Structure

Create your own template:

---
template: custom-template-name
category: {{prompt:category}}
tags: [{{prompt:tags}}]
---
 
# Template Content
 
Use {{variables}} for dynamic content.
 
Add sections and structure as needed.
 
## Section 1
 
{{prompt:field_name:Optional description}}
 
## Section 2
 
Content with default text.

Template Frontmatter

Define template metadata:

---
# Template identification
template: template-name
template_version: 1.0
template_description: Brief description
 
# Default properties
tags: [default, tags]
status: draft
 
# Template variables (for documentation)
variables:
  - name: title
    description: Note title
    required: true
  - name: author
    description: Note author
    default: "{{author}}"
  - name: custom_field
    description: Custom field description
    type: select
    options: [option1, option2, option3]
---

Variable Types

Different input types:

Text Input:

{{prompt:field_name}}
{{prompt:field_name:Description or label}}

Select (Dropdown):

{{select:field_name:option1,option2,option3}}
{{select:priority:low,medium,high,critical}}

Multi-line Text:

{{multiline:field_name}}
{{multiline:description:Enter detailed description}}

Date Input:

{{date}}
{{date:YYYY-MM-DD}}
{{date+7}}

Checkbox:

{{checkbox:field_name}}
{{checkbox:urgent:Mark as urgent}}

Number:

{{number:field_name}}
{{number:budget:Enter budget amount}}

Conditional Content

Show/hide based on variables:

{{#if variable_name}}
This content shows if variable_name is set
{{/if}}
 
{{#if status == "active"}}
Active project content
{{/if}}
 
{{#unless completed}}
Show if not completed
{{/unless}}

Loops and Repeating

Repeat sections:

{{#repeat:3}}
- [ ] Task {{index}}
{{/repeat}}
 
{{#for item in items}}
- {{item}}
{{/for}}

Template Categories

Organizing Templates

Group templates by category:

Categories:

  • Personal (daily notes, journal)
  • Work (meetings, projects)
  • Development (code, documentation)
  • Research (notes, papers)
  • Content (blog, articles)
  • Custom categories

Category Configuration:

categories:
  - name: Personal
    icon: User
    templates: [daily-note, journal, goal-setting]
  - name: Work
    icon: Briefcase
    templates: [meeting-notes, project-plan]

Template Gallery

Browsing Templates

Access template gallery:

Gallery Features:

  • Preview templates
  • Search templates
  • Filter by category
  • Sort by popularity/recent
  • View template details
  • Quick apply

Template Details:

  • Name and description
  • Category
  • Variables required
  • Preview
  • Usage count
  • Last modified

Template Preview

See template before using:

Preview Features:

  • Rendered preview
  • Variable list
  • Required fields
  • Optional fields
  • Sample output

Sharing Templates

Exporting Templates

Share with others:

Export Options:

  • Single template file
  • Template pack (multiple)
  • Include dependencies
  • Export with examples

Export Format:

{
  "name": "Meeting Notes",
  "version": "1.0",
  "category": "Work",
  "template": "...",
  "variables": [...],
  "examples": [...]
}

Importing Templates

Add templates from others:

Import Process:

  1. File → Import Template
  2. Select template file
  3. Review template
  4. Choose category
  5. Confirm import

Template Sources:

  • Local files
  • URLs
  • Template marketplace
  • Git repositories

Template Marketplace

Community template sharing:

Features:

  • Browse community templates
  • Search and filter
  • Rate and review
  • Download and install
  • Submit your templates

Template Snippets

Inline Snippets

Quick text insertion:

Snippet Syntax:

/snippet-name
/date → {{date}}
/time → {{time}}
/meeting → Insert meeting template

Snippet Editor:

  1. Settings → Templates → Snippets
  2. Create new snippet
  3. Define trigger
  4. Add content
  5. Save

Example Snippets:

/sig → Email signature
/todo → - [ ] Task item
/table3 → 3-column table
/code → Code block with language

Dynamic Snippets

Snippets with logic:

/greeting →
{{#if time < 12}}
Good morning!
{{else if time < 18}}
Good afternoon!
{{else}}
Good evening!
{{/if}}

Automation

Auto-apply Templates

Automatic template application:

Rules:

template_rules:
  - condition: path == "/Daily/"
    template: daily-note
  - condition: tags.includes("meeting")
    template: meeting-notes
  - condition: title.startsWith("Project:")
    template: project-plan

Template Triggers

Trigger-based templates:

Trigger Types:

  • File creation in folder
  • Note with specific tag
  • Time-based (daily, weekly)
  • Event-based (meeting scheduled)

Configuration

Template Settings

Configure in Settings > Templates:

General:

  • Default template folder
  • Template file extension
  • Variable syntax style
  • Auto-complete templates

Behavior:

  • Auto-fill known variables
  • Show variable descriptions
  • Validate required fields
  • Remember last used template

Display:

  • Template gallery layout
  • Sort order
  • Filter defaults
  • Preview style

Keyboard Shortcuts

ActionShortcut
New from TemplateCmd/Ctrl + Shift + N
Template GalleryCmd/Ctrl + Shift + T
Quick TemplateCmd/Ctrl + T
Insert Snippet/ then type
Edit TemplateCmd/Ctrl + E (in template)

Advanced Features

Template Inheritance

Base templates for reuse:

---
extends: base-template
---
 
# Additional content
 
Inherits structure from base-template

Template Composition

Combine multiple templates:

---
includes:
  - header-template
  - footer-template
---
 
{{include:header}}
 
Main content
 
{{include:footer}}

Template Scripting

JavaScript in templates:

---
scripts:
  - calculate-dates.js
---
 
{{script:calculateNextMeeting()}}

Best Practices

Template Design

Effective Templates:

  • Clear structure
  • Helpful descriptions
  • Sensible defaults
  • Optional vs required fields
  • Useful examples

Template Maintenance

Keep Templates Updated:

  • Review regularly
  • Update based on usage
  • Remove unused templates
  • Version control
  • Document changes

Template Naming

Good Names:

  • Descriptive
  • Consistent format
  • Category prefix (optional)
  • Version suffix (if needed)

Examples:

  • meeting-notes-standard
  • daily-note-v2
  • project-plan-agile
  • blog-post-technical

Use Cases

Personal Productivity

Templates for:

  • Daily planning
  • Weekly reviews
  • Goal setting
  • Habit tracking
  • Journaling

Team Collaboration

Templates for:

  • Meeting notes
  • Project kickoffs
  • Status updates
  • Retrospectives
  • Decision logs

Content Creation

Templates for:

  • Blog posts
  • Articles
  • Documentation
  • Tutorials
  • Case studies

Software Development

Templates for:

  • Bug reports
  • Feature requests
  • Code reviews
  • Release notes
  • Architecture docs

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue: Variables not replacing Solution: Check syntax, verify variable name, rebuild template

Issue: Template not appearing Solution: Check template folder, verify metadata, refresh template list

Issue: Required fields missing Solution: Define in frontmatter, check template definition

Issue: Import failed Solution: Verify file format, check compatibility, review error log

Next Steps

Bases (Database Views)Gmail Integration