Template Workflows

Automate your note-taking with powerful templates. Learn to create daily notes, meeting templates, project briefs, and more using variables, date functions, conditionals, and loops.

Time Estimate: 30 minutes

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to:

Create templates with variables and placeholders
Use date functions for dynamic dates
Apply conditionals for smart templates
Use loops to generate repeated content
Build real-world template workflows
Create template libraries for your workflows

Prerequisites

Lokus v1.3.4 or later
Basic understanding of notes and files
Familiarity with markdown
30 minutes of focused time

Step 1: Your First Template

Let’s create a simple template to understand the basics.

1.1 Create a Template

Create a new note called Template - Simple Note
Add this content:

---
name: Simple Note
description: A basic template example
type: template
---
 
# {{title}}
 
Created: {{date}}
Author: {{author}}
 
## Notes
 
{{content}}
 
---
 
Tags: #{{category}}

1.2 Understanding Template Syntax

Variables:

{{variableName}}

Date Functions:

{{date.now}}
{{date.today}}
{{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy')}}

Filters:

{{text | upper}}
{{name | capitalize}}
{{content | truncate(100)}}

Note: Info: Templates are regular markdown files with special {{syntax}} that gets replaced when you use the template.

1.3 Using Your Template

To use a template:

Create a new note
Click the template icon or use slash command /template
Select “Simple Note”
Fill in the variables
The template expands with your values

Step 2: Daily Note Template

Let’s create a practical daily note template with date functions.

2.1 Create Daily Note Template

Create Template - Daily Note:

---
name: Daily Note
description: Daily reflection and planning template
type: template
category: productivity
---
 
# {{date.format('dddd, MMMM D, YYYY')}}
 
**Week:** {{date.getWeek}} | **Quarter:** Q{{date.getQuarter}}
 
## Morning Reflection
 
### Today's Focus
1.
2.
3.
 
### Energy Level
- Physical: /10
- Mental: /10
- Emotional: /10
 
## Schedule
 
### Time Blocks
- 9:00-10:30 →
- 10:30-12:00 →
- 12:00-13:00 → Lunch
- 13:00-15:00 →
- 15:00-17:00 →
 
## Tasks
 
### Must Do Today
- [ ]
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
### Would Be Nice
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
## Evening Review
 
### Accomplished
-
 
### Challenges
-
 
### Learnings
-
 
### Gratitude
1.
2.
3.
 
---
 
## Links
 
**Yesterday:** [[{{date.yesterday.format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} Daily]]
**Tomorrow:** [[{{date.tomorrow.format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} Daily]]
 
**Weekly Review:** [[Week {{date.getWeek}} - {{date.getYear}}]]
 
---
 
*Created: {{date.now.format('YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm')}}*
 
#daily-note #{{date.format('yyyy')}} #{{date.format('yyyy-MM')}}

2.2 Date Functions Reference

Current Date:

{{date.now}} - Current date and time
{{date.today}} - Today at 00:00
{{date.tomorrow}} - Tomorrow at 00:00
{{date.yesterday}} - Yesterday at 00:00

Formatting:

{{date.format('YYYY-MM-DD')}}         → 2024-01-15
{{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy')}}      → January 15, 2024
{{date.format('dddd')}}               → Monday
{{date.format('HH:mm')}}              → 14:30

Date Arithmetic:

{{date.addDays(7)}}                   → 7 days from now
{{date.subWeeks(1)}}                  → 1 week ago
{{date.addMonths(1)}}                 → 1 month from now
{{date.startOfWeek}}                  → Start of this week
{{date.endOfMonth}}                   → End of this month

Date Properties:

{{date.getDay}}                       → Day of month (1-31)
{{date.getMonth}}                     → Month (1-12)
{{date.getYear}}                      → Year (2024)
{{date.getWeek}}                      → Week number (1-52)
{{date.getQuarter}}                   → Quarter (1-4)
{{date.getDayOfWeek}}                 → Day name (Monday)

Step 3: Meeting Notes Template

Let’s create a template with variables and conditionals.

3.1 Create Meeting Template

Create Template - Meeting Notes:

---
name: Meeting Notes
description: Professional meeting documentation
type: template
category: meetings
variables:
  - name: meeting_title
    type: text
    required: true
    prompt: "Meeting title"
  - name: meeting_type
    type: select
    options: ["Team Sync", "Client Meeting", "1-on-1", "Planning", "Review"]
    default: "Team Sync"
  - name: attendees
    type: text
    prompt: "Attendees (comma-separated)"
  - name: has_decisions
    type: boolean
    default: true
  - name: has_action_items
    type: boolean
    default: true
---
 
# {{meeting_title}}
 
**Date:** {{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy')}}
**Time:** {{date.format('HH:mm')}}
**Type:** {{meeting_type}}
 
## Attendees
 
{{#each attendees.split(',')}}
- {{this | trim}}
{{/each}}
 
---
 
## Agenda
 
1.
2.
3.
 
---
 
## Discussion Notes
 
### Topic 1
 
 
### Topic 2
 
 
---
 
{{#if has_decisions}}
## Decisions Made
 
| Decision | Rationale | Owner |
|----------|-----------|-------|
|          |           |       |
 
---
{{/if}}
 
{{#if has_action_items}}
## Action Items
 
| Task | Owner | Due Date | Status |
|------|-------|----------|--------|
|      |       |          | [ ]    |
 
---
{{/if}}
 
## Next Steps
 
-
 
---
 
## Links
 
**Previous Meeting:** [[{{meeting_title}} - {{date.subWeeks(1).format('YYYY-MM-DD')}}]]
**Meeting Series:** [[Meetings/{{meeting_title}}]]
 
#meeting #{{meeting_type | slug}} #{{date.format('yyyy-MM')}}

3.2 Conditionals Syntax

If statements:

{{#if condition}}
  Content when true
{{/if}}

If-else:

{{#if condition}}
  Content when true
{{else}}
  Content when false
{{/if}}

If-elseif-else:

{{#if condition1}}
  First condition
{{elseif condition2}}
  Second condition
{{else}}
  Default
{{/if}}

Comparison operators:

{{#if count > 5}}
{{#if status == 'active'}}
{{#if priority != 'low'}}
{{#if score >= 80}}

Step 4: Project Template with Loops

Let’s create a template that uses loops for repeated sections.

4.1 Create Project Brief Template

Create Template - Project Brief:

---
name: Project Brief
description: Comprehensive project planning template
type: template
category: projects
variables:
  - name: project_name
    type: text
    required: true
  - name: status
    type: select
    options: ["Planning", "Active", "On Hold", "Completed"]
    default: "Planning"
  - name: priority
    type: select
    options: ["Critical", "High", "Medium", "Low"]
    default: "Medium"
  - name: team_members
    type: text
    prompt: "Team members (comma-separated)"
  - name: num_phases
    type: number
    default: 3
---
 
# Project: {{project_name}}
 
**Status:** {{status}}
**Priority:** {{priority}}
**Created:** {{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy')}}
**Updated:** {{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy HH:mm')}}
 
---
 
## Team
 
**Project Lead:**
 
### Team Members
{{#each team_members.split(',')}}
- **{{this | trim | capitalize}}**
  - Role:
  - Responsibilities:
{{/each}}
 
---
 
## Overview
 
### Problem Statement
 
 
### Proposed Solution
 
 
### Success Criteria
 
1.
2.
3.
 
---
 
## Timeline
 
**Start Date:** {{date.format('YYYY-MM-DD')}}
**Target End Date:** {{date.addMonths(3).format('YYYY-MM-DD')}}
**Duration:** ~3 months
 
### Project Phases
 
{{#each (range 1 (add num_phases 1))}}
#### Phase {{this}}: [Phase Name]
 
**Duration:** [X weeks]
**Goals:**
-
-
 
**Deliverables:**
-
 
---
 
{{/each}}
 
---
 
## Milestones
 
| Milestone | Target Date | Status |
|-----------|-------------|--------|
| Project Kickoff | {{date.format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} | [ ] |
| Phase 1 Complete | {{date.addMonths(1).format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} | [ ] |
| Mid-Project Review | {{date.addMonths(1.5).format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} | [ ] |
| Phase 2 Complete | {{date.addMonths(2).format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} | [ ] |
| Final Delivery | {{date.addMonths(3).format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} | [ ] |
 
---
 
## Risks & Mitigation
 
| Risk | Probability | Impact | Mitigation Strategy |
|------|-------------|--------|---------------------|
|      | Low/Med/High | Low/Med/High |           |
 
---
 
## Resources
 
### Budget
 
 
### Tools & Technologies
 
 
### Dependencies
 
 
---
 
## Status Updates
 
### Week {{date.getWeek}} - {{date.format('MMM dd')}}
 
**Progress:**
-
 
**Blockers:**
-
 
**Next Week:**
-
 
---
 
## Links
 
**Project Folder:** [[Projects/{{project_name}}/]]
**Team Notes:** [[Team/{{project_name}}]]
**Status Updates:** [[Projects/{{project_name}}/Status Updates]]
 
#project #{{status | slug}} #{{priority | slug}} #{{date.format('yyyy-Qx')}}

4.2 Loops Syntax

Each loop:

{{#each array}}
  {{this}} - Current item
  {{@index}} - Index (0-based)
  {{@first}} - True if first item
  {{@last}} - True if last item
{{/each}}

Range loop:

{{#each (range 1 11)}}
  Item {{this}}
{{/each}}

Loop with conditionals:

{{#each items}}
  {{#if @first}}
    **First Item:** {{this}}
  {{elseif @last}}
    **Last Item:** {{this}}
  {{else}}
    - {{this}}
  {{/if}}
{{/each}}

Step 5: Using Filters

Filters transform values inline.

5.1 Text Filters

{{name | upper}}                      → JOHN DOE
{{name | lower}}                      → john doe
{{name | capitalize}}                 → John doe
{{name | capitalizeAll}}              → John Doe
{{text | truncate(50, '...')}}       → Truncated text...
{{title | slug}}                      → url-safe-slug
{{text | trim}}                       → Trimmed text

5.2 Array Filters

{{items | join(', ')}}                → item1, item2, item3
{{items | first}}                     → First item
{{items | last}}                      → Last item
{{items | length}}                    → Array length
{{items | sort}}                      → Sorted array
{{items | reverse}}                   → Reversed array
{{items | unique}}                    → Unique items only

5.3 Number Filters

{{price | currency}}                  → $1,234.56
{{number | round}}                    → Rounded number
{{number | abs}}                      → Absolute value
{{percent | percentage}}              → 75%

5.4 Date Filters

{{date | dateFormat('MM/DD/YYYY')}}   → 01/15/2024
{{date | timeAgo}}                    → 2 hours ago
{{date | relative}}                   → yesterday at 3:45 PM

5.5 Create Filtered Template

Create Template - Book Notes:

---
name: Book Notes
description: Book reading notes with filters
type: template
variables:
  - name: book_title
    type: text
    required: true
  - name: author
    type: text
    required: true
  - name: rating
    type: number
    min: 1
    max: 5
    default: 4
  - name: pages
    type: number
  - name: tags
    type: text
    prompt: "Tags (comma-separated)"
---
 
# {{book_title | capitalizeAll}}
 
**Author:** {{author | capitalizeAll}}
**Rating:** {{rating}}/5 ⭐
**Pages:** {{pages}}
**Started:** {{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy')}}
**File Name:** `{{book_title | slug}}.md`
 
---
 
## Overview
 
**Genre:**
**Published:**
**Read:** {{date.format('MMMM yyyy')}}
 
---
 
## Key Takeaways
 
### Main Ideas
 
{{#each (range 1 6)}}
{{this}}.
 
{{/each}}
 
---
 
## Highlights & Quotes
 
{{#each (range 1 11)}}
### Highlight {{this}}
 
> Quote here (p. X)
 
**My thoughts:**
 
 
---
 
{{/each}}
 
---
 
## Summary
 
### In One Sentence
 
 
### In One Paragraph
 
 
---
 
## Action Items
 
What will I apply from this book?
 
- [ ]
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
---
 
## Related
 
**Similar Books:**
 
**Related Concepts:**
{{#each tags.split(',')}}
- [[{{this | trim | capitalizeAll}}]]
{{/each}}
 
---
 
**Progress:** {{pages}} pages in {{date.differenceInDays(date.addDays(-14), date.now)}} days = {{divide pages 14 | round}} pages/day
 
#book #{{rating}}-stars {{#each tags.split(',')}}#{{this | trim | slug}} {{/each}}

Step 6: Template Includes

Reuse template snippets across multiple templates.

6.1 Create Reusable Snippets

Create Template - Snippet - Header:

---
name: Header Snippet
type: snippet
---
 
Created: {{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy')}}
Modified: {{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy HH:mm')}}
 
---

Create Template - Snippet - Footer:

---
name: Footer Snippet
type: snippet
---
 
---
 
*Last updated: {{date.format('MMMM dd, yyyy HH:mm')}}*
*Location: [[{{location}}]]*
 
#note #{{date.format('yyyy')}} #{{date.format('yyyy-MM')}}

6.2 Use Includes in Templates

Create Template - Article Draft:

---
name: Article Draft
description: Blog post or article template
type: template
---
 
# {{title}}
 
{{include "Header Snippet"}}
 
## Outline
 
### Introduction
 
- Hook:
- Context:
- Thesis:
 
### Body
 
#### Section 1:
 
- Main point:
- Evidence:
- Examples:
 
#### Section 2:
 
- Main point:
- Evidence:
- Examples:
 
#### Section 3:
 
- Main point:
- Evidence:
- Examples:
 
### Conclusion
 
- Summary:
- Call to action:
- Final thought:
 
---
 
## Draft
 
[Write draft here]
 
---
 
## Research Links
 
-
 
---
 
{{include "Footer Snippet"}}

Step 7: Real-World Workflow

Let’s combine everything into a complete workflow.

7.1 Weekly Review Template

Create Template - Weekly Review:

---
name: Weekly Review
description: Weekly reflection and planning
type: template
category: productivity
---
 
# Week {{date.getWeek}} Review - {{date.format('MMMM yyyy')}}
 
**Period:** {{date.startOfWeek.format('MMM dd')}} - {{date.endOfWeek.format('MMM dd, yyyy')}}
 
---
 
## Last Week Accomplishments
 
### Major Wins
1.
2.
3.
 
### Completed Projects
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
### Daily Notes Summary
{{#each (range 0 7)}}
- [[{{date.subDays(this).format('YYYY-MM-DD')}} Daily]]{{#if (eq this 0)}} ← Today{{/if}}
{{/each}}
 
---
 
## Metrics
 
### Work
- Deep work hours: __/25
- Meetings: __ hours
- Major tasks completed: __
 
### Personal
- Exercise days: __/7
- Reading: __ pages
- Learning: __ hours
 
### Habit Tracker
| Habit | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Score |
|-------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-------|
| Exercise | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | 0/7 |
| Reading | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | 0/7 |
| Meditation | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | ⬜ | 0/7 |
 
---
 
## Challenges & Learnings
 
### What Went Wrong?
 
 
### What Did I Learn?
 
 
### What Would I Do Differently?
 
 
---
 
## Next Week Planning
 
### Week {{date.addWeeks(1).getWeek}} - {{date.addWeeks(1).startOfWeek.format('MMM dd')}} to {{date.addWeeks(1).endOfWeek.format('MMM dd')}}
 
### Focus Areas
1.
2.
3.
 
### Major Tasks
- [ ]
- [ ]
- [ ]
 
### Meetings & Events
{{#each (range 0 7)}}
#### {{date.addDays(this).format('dddd, MMM dd')}}
-
 
{{/each}}
 
---
 
## Goals Progress
 
### Monthly Goals ({{date.format('MMMM')}})
 
| Goal | Progress | Status |
|------|----------|--------|
|      | __/%     | 🔴🟡🟢 |
 
### Quarterly Goals (Q{{date.getQuarter}})
 
| Goal | Progress | Target Date |
|------|----------|-------------|
|      | __/%     | {{date.endOfQuarter.format('MMM DD')}} |
 
---
 
## Gratitude & Reflection
 
### This Week I'm Grateful For
1.
2.
3.
 
### Energy Check-In
- Physical: __/10
- Mental: __/10
- Emotional: __/10
- Overall: __/10
 
---
 
**Last Week:** [[Week {{date.subWeeks(1).getWeek}} - {{date.getYear}}]]
**Next Week:** [[Week {{date.addWeeks(1).getWeek}} - {{date.getYear}}]]
**Monthly Review:** [[{{date.format('MMMM yyyy')}} Monthly Review]]
 
#weekly-review #week-{{date.getWeek}} #{{date.format('yyyy')}}

Step 8: Advanced Techniques

8.1 Nested Conditionals

{{#if priority == 'high'}}
  {{#if status == 'active'}}
    ⚠️ **HIGH PRIORITY - ACTIVE**
  {{else}}
    ⚠️ **HIGH PRIORITY - PENDING**
  {{/if}}
{{elseif priority == 'medium'}}
  📌 Medium Priority
{{else}}
  📋 Low Priority
{{/if}}

8.2 Complex Loops

{{#each team_members.split(',')}}
  {{#if @first}}
## Team Lead
**{{this | trim | capitalizeAll}}**
  {{else}}
### Team Member {{@index}}
- **Name:** {{this | trim | capitalizeAll}}
- **Role:**
  {{/if}}
 
{{/each}}

8.3 Date Calculations

**Project Duration:** {{date.differenceInDays(start_date, end_date)}} days
**Weeks Remaining:** {{date.differenceInWeeks(date.now, deadline)}} weeks
**Sprint Number:** {{divide (date.differenceInWeeks(project_start, date.now)) 2 | round}}
**Completion:** {{divide (date.differenceInDays(project_start, date.now)) (date.differenceInDays(project_start, project_end)) | multiply(100) | round}}%

8.4 Dynamic Tagging

#{{status | slug}}
#priority-{{priority | slug}}
#{{date.format('yyyy')}}
#{{date.format('yyyy-MM')}}
#{{date.format('yyyy-Qx')}}
{{#each tags.split(',')}}
#{{this | trim | slug}}
{{/each}}

What You’ve Built

Congratulations! You’ve mastered Lokus templates. You can now:

Create templates with variables and placeholders
Use 70+ date functions for dynamic dates
Apply conditionals for smart templates
Use loops to generate repeated content
Apply filters to transform values
Build complete workflow systems
Create reusable template snippets

Template Library Quick Reference

Daily Workflow

Daily Note - Morning planning & evening review
Weekly Review - Weekly reflection & planning
Monthly Review - Goal progress & retrospective

Meetings

Meeting Notes - General meeting documentation
1-on-1 - Manager-employee check-ins
Sprint Planning - Agile sprint planning

Projects

Project Brief - Project kickoff documentation
Status Update - Weekly project status
Post-Mortem - Project retrospective

Content

Article Draft - Blog post outline
Book Notes - Reading notes
Video Script - Video content planning

Next Steps

Continue Learning

Next Example: Academic Research Setup - See templates in action
Related: Template Gallery - 20+ ready-to-use templates
Advanced: Project Management Setup - Complete PM workflow

Practice Exercises

Personal System: Create a daily note template for your routine
Work System: Build a meeting notes template for your team
Learning System: Design a book notes template
Project System: Create a project brief template

Explore Features

Templates Documentation - Complete template reference
Automation - Advanced automation features
Daily Notes - Daily notes system

Summary

In this tutorial, you learned:

Template syntax with {{variables}}
70+ date functions for dynamic dates
Conditionals with {{#if}} statements
Loops with {{#each}} for repeated content
60+ filters for transforming values
Template includes for reusable snippets
Real-world workflow templates
Advanced techniques and combinations

Templates are one of Lokus’s most powerful features, enabling you to automate repetitive note-taking and maintain consistency across your knowledge base.

Happy templating!

Resources:

Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes Difficulty: Intermediate Version: Lokus v1.3.4+ Last Updated: November 2024

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