> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fileloom.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Overview
> Create reusable PDF templates with HTML, CSS, and Handlebars for dynamic document generation.
Templates are the foundation of Fileloom. They combine HTML structure, CSS styling, and Handlebars placeholders to create dynamic, reusable PDF documents.
## What is a Template?
A template is a saved document design that you can use repeatedly with different data. Instead of sending raw HTML with every API request, you:
1. Create a template once in the dashboard
2. Reference it by ID in API requests
3. Pass only the dynamic data
```json theme={null}
{
"templateId": "tpl_invoice_v2",
"templateData": {
"invoiceNumber": "INV-2024-001",
"customerName": "Acme Corp",
"total": 1250.00
}
}
```
## Template Components
Every template consists of:
| Component | Description |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **HTML** | Document structure with Handlebars placeholders |
| **CSS** | Styling (colors, fonts, layout) |
| **Settings** | Paper size, margins, orientation |
| **Test Data** | Sample JSON for previewing |
## Template vs Raw HTML
| Approach | Best For |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Templates** | Repeated documents (invoices, reports), team collaboration, version control |
| **Raw HTML** | One-off documents, dynamic layouts, programmatic generation |
Use templates for any document you'll generate more than once. They're faster (no HTML transfer), easier to maintain, and support versioning.
## Creating Your First Template
Go to **Templates** → **Create Template** in the dashboard.
Create your document structure with Handlebars placeholders:
```html theme={null}
Invoice #{{invoiceNumber}}
Customer: {{customer.name}}
Total: {{currency total "USD"}}
```
Style your document in the CSS tab:
```css theme={null}
.invoice {
font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
padding: 40px;
}
h1 { color: #333; }
```
Enter sample JSON in the Test Data tab:
```json theme={null}
{
"invoiceNumber": "INV-001",
"customer": { "name": "Acme Corp" },
"total": 1250.00
}
```
Check the live preview, then click **Publish** to make it available via API.
## Handlebars Basics
Fileloom uses Handlebars for dynamic content:
```handlebars theme={null}
{{! Output a variable }}
{{variableName}}
{{! Access nested properties }}
{{customer.address.city}}
{{! Use helpers for formatting }}
{{currency amount "USD"}}
{{formatDate date "MMMM D, YYYY"}}
{{! Conditionals }}
{{#if isPaid}}Paid{{else}}Unpaid{{/if}}
{{! Loops }}
{{#each items}}
{{this.name}}: {{currency this.price "USD"}}
{{/each}}
```
See [Handlebars Basics](/templates/handlebars-basics) for complete syntax guide.
## Built-in Helpers
Fileloom includes 70+ helpers for common operations:
uppercase, lowercase, truncate, replace
currency, formatNumber, percentage
formatDate, formatTime, addDays, now
add, multiply, round, gt, lt, and, or
## Using Templates via API
Reference your template by ID:
```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.fileloom.io/v1/pdf/generate \
-H "X-API-Key: fl_your_api_key" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"templateId": "tpl_abc123xyz",
"templateData": {
"invoiceNumber": "INV-2024-001",
"items": [
{"name": "Widget", "price": 29.99}
]
}
}'
```
Find template IDs in the dashboard templates list or template editor.
## Next Steps
Learn template syntax in depth
Browse 50+ ready-to-use templates
Explore all 70+ built-in helpers
Tips for production templates