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

# Creating Templates

> How to create custom templates for your use case

Create templates tailored to your specific offer, audience, and voice.

## Step-by-Step Template Creation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Templates">
    Click **Templates** in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Template">
    Click the **Create Template** button
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in Basic Details">
    * **Name:** Descriptive identifier (e.g., "SaaS Pain Point Hook")
    * **Category:** Select or type custom
    * **Output Column Name:** What the result column will be called
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write Your Prompt">
    Enter your AI instructions with `{{variables}}`

    ```text theme={null}
    Write a personalized opening line for {{First Name}}, 
    who is {{Job Title}} at {{Company}} in {{City}}.

    Focus on challenges in the {{Industry}} industry.
    Keep it under 150 characters. Don't use "I hope this finds you well."
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Constraints">
    * **Character limit:** Max characters (optional)
    * **Word limit:** Max words (optional)
    * **Forbidden words:** Words to never include (optional)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set AI Parameters">
    * **Model:** gpt-4o-mini (default, recommended)
    * **Temperature:** 0.7 (default, 0 = focused, 1 = creative)
    * **Max Tokens:** 150 (default output length)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Template">
    Click **Create Template** to save
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Writing Effective Prompts

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Be specific about output format">
    ❌ "Write something about their company"

    ✅ "Write a 1-sentence opening hook mentioning their company's recent growth"
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Include what NOT to include">
    ```text theme={null}
    Don't use:
    - "I hope this finds you well"
    - Questions in the opening
    - The word "excited"
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Specify length clearly">
    ```text theme={null}
    Keep it under 150 characters.
    Maximum 2 sentences.
    One short paragraph only.
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Give examples if helpful">
    ```text theme={null}
    Example output style:
    "Scaling a SaaS sales team in Austin's competitive market is no small feat—"
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Reference your actual offer">
    ```text theme={null}
    We offer fast business funding with 24-hour approval.
    Tie the hook to how quick capital could help their situation.
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Output Column Name

The **Output Column Name** determines:

* What the new CSV column will be called
* How you reference it in template chaining
* What variable name appears in your sending tool

<Tip>
  Use clear, descriptive names like `Hook`, `Pain_Point`, `CTA` rather than generic names like `Output1`.
</Tip>

## Character and Word Limits

Set constraints to control output length:

| Setting             | Effect                                    |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Character Limit** | AI tries to stay under X characters       |
| **Word Limit**      | AI tries to stay under X words            |
| **Both**            | AI respects whichever is more restrictive |

<Note>
  Limits are guidelines for the AI, not hard cutoffs. Outputs may occasionally exceed limits slightly. The quality flag system will catch these.
</Note>

## Forbidden Words

Add words that should never appear in outputs:

* Enter as comma-separated list or tags
* Common uses: competitor names, banned phrases, overused words
* Outputs containing forbidden words get flagged

**Example forbidden words:**

```text theme={null}
loan, synergy, circle back, touch base, I hope this finds you well
```

## AI Model Settings

| Setting         | Default     | Recommendation                                        |
| --------------- | ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Model**       | gpt-4o-mini | Keep default for best cost/quality                    |
| **Temperature** | 0.7         | Lower (0.3) for consistent, higher (0.9) for creative |
| **Max Tokens**  | 150         | Increase for longer outputs                           |

## Testing Before Use

After creating a template, **test it** before running a full job:

1. Open the template
2. Select a file to test with
3. Click **Test**
4. Review outputs and quality flags
5. Iterate on the prompt if needed

<Warning>
  Template tests count toward your monthly usage!
</Warning>