# Writing your own templates

You can define your own templates.

- Go to Window > Preferences > Java > Editor > Templates and press the New button.
- In the Name field, enter the name for the template. This name need not be unique. It is used for selecting templates from the Code Assist list.
- Specify the context for the template using the Context combo-box:
  - Select Java if the template is to be used in normal Java code
  - Select javadoc if the template is to be used in Javadoc comments
- Uncheck the Automatically insert checkbox, if the template should not be inserted automatically if it is the only proposal available at the caret position.
- In the Description field, enter a brief description of the template.
- Use the Pattern text field to enter the template pattern
  The pattern may contain pre-defined and custom template variables.
  Template variables are place-holders for the dynamic part of the template pattern, i.e. they are different in every application of the particular template. Before a template is inserted, the variables in its pattern are evaluated and the place-holders are replaced with the evaluated values. Variables are of the form `${variable_name}`.
  - To insert a pre-defined template variable, use the Insert Variable button or press `Ctrl+Space` and select the variable from the presented list.
  - You can insert your own template variables, which will evaluate to the name of the variable itself. You must, however, make sure that the name does not conflict with the pre-defined template variable names in the specific context.
  - If the dollar symbol `$` should be displayed, it must be escaped by using two dollar symbols or by using the variable `${dollar}`.

Templates

Using the Java editor
Using templates

Template preference page