Templates Overview

Templates are a simple, natural language way to communicate complex multi-step tasks to your agents. Instead of writing code or complex configurations, you describe what you want in plain English, and your agent executes it step by step.

What are Templates?

Templates let you break down workflows into easy-to-understand steps that agents can execute. They combine:

• Natural language: Write workflows like you're talking to a colleague
• Variables: Make workflows reusable with dynamic inputs
• Prompt chaining: Link multiple steps together
• Tool integration: Simply tell your agent what tools to use - it will use them automatically

Basic Concepts

Simple Template

A basic template is just a description:

Research the top 5 competitors in the [Industry] space and create a 
comparison document in Google Docs.

Variables

Use [Variable Name] to make workflows reusable:

Write a blog post about [Topic] for [Target Audience] with a [Tone] tone.

When you run this workflow, you'll be prompted to fill in:

• Topic
• Target Audience
• Tone

Prompt Chaining

Use ~ (tilde) to separate steps:

Research [Topic] and find the top 5 key points~
Create a summary document in Google Docs~
Share the document via Slack to #research

Each section separated by ~ is executed sequentially, with results from previous steps available to later steps.

Using Tools

Simply tell your agent what to do with tools - as long as the agent has the tools enabled, it will use them automatically:

Research [Topic] and find the top 5 key points~
Create a summary document in Google Docs~
Share the document via Slack to #research

Your agent will automatically use Google Docs and Slack if those integrations are connected and enabled for the agent.

When to Use Templates vs Chat Mode

Use Templates When:

• You have a multi-step workflow that needs to run sequentially
• You want to reuse the workflow with different inputs
• You need tool integration (Google Docs, Slack, etc.)
• You want to save the workflow for later
• You need background execution for long tasks

Use Chat Mode When:

• You want a conversational interaction
• You're exploring ideas and need flexibility
• You prefer working in ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini
• You don't need to save the workflow

Template Syntax

Variables

Variables use square brackets: [Variable Name]

• Variable names should be descriptive: [Customer Name], [Product Category]
• Use spaces in variable names for readability
• Variables are case-insensitive
• Maximum 3 variables per workflow recommended

Example:

Write an email to [Customer Name] about [Product] with a [Tone] tone.

Prompt Chaining

Use ~ (tilde) to separate steps:

Step 1 description~
Step 2 description~
Step 3 description

Example:

Research [Topic]~
Summarize the findings~
Create a Google Doc with the summary

Using Tools

Simply describe what you want your agent to do with tools. As long as the agent has the tools enabled, it will use them automatically:

Example:

Search Reddit for [Topic] and find the top 5 posts~
Summarize the results~
Create a Google Doc with the summary~
Share the document via Slack to #research

Your agent will automatically use Reddit search, Google Docs, and Slack if those integrations are connected and enabled.

Escaping

To use literal brackets in your text, escape them:

This is a literal [bracket] example: \[not a variable\]

The escaped \[bracket\] will appear as [bracket] in the output.

Creating Your First Template

Step 1: Define Your Goal

What do you want to accomplish? Be specific:

• ❌ "Help with marketing"
• ✅ "Create a social media post for [Product] launch"

Step 2: Break Into Steps

Think about the sequence:

1. Research the product
2. Write the post
3. Format for the platform
4. Schedule or publish

Step 3: Add Variables

Identify what should be dynamic:

Research [Product Name] and create a social media post for [Platform] 
with [Tone] tone targeting [Audience].

Step 4: Tell Agent to Use Tools

Simply describe what tools to use in natural language:

Research [Product Name] using web search~
Create a social media post for [Platform]~
Share the post via Slack to #marketing

Your agent will automatically use the appropriate tools if they're connected and enabled.

Step 5: Test and Refine

Run the workflow and adjust as needed.

Best Practices

Keep It Simple

• Start with 2-3 steps
• Add complexity gradually
• Test each step independently

Use Clear Variable Names

• ✅ [Customer Name], [Product Category], [Email Subject]
• ❌ [var1], [data], [thing]

Limit Variables

• Maximum 3 variables per workflow
• Use tools to gather information instead of variables when possible
• Variables should be for user input, not data retrieval

Write Action-Oriented Steps

• ✅ "Create a summary document"
• ❌ "Think about creating a summary"

Test Incrementally

• Test each step before adding the next
• Verify tool connections work
• Check variable substitution

Examples

Content Creation

[Topic]=[Topic to write about]
[Audience]=[Target audience]
[Format]=[Blog post / Social media / Email]

Research [Topic] and identify key points for [Audience]~
Create an outline in [Format] format~
Write the full content~
Review and refine the content

Research & Analysis

[Research Topic]=[What to research]

Search for information about [Research Topic] using web search~
Summarize the top findings~
Identify key insights~
Create a Google Doc with the analysis and share it via Slack

Your agent will automatically use Perplexity, Google Docs, and Slack if those tools are enabled.

Automation

[Customer Name]=[Name]
[Order Number]=[Order ID]

Retrieve order [Order Number] for [Customer Name]~
Generate a status update email~
Send the email to [Customer Name] via Gmail

Your agent will automatically use Gmail if it's connected and enabled.

Next Steps

• Templates & Variables - Deep dive into variables
• Prompt Chaining - Advanced chaining techniques
• Available Tools - See all available integrations