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Custom templates allow you to save prompt configurations and reuse them across multiple attributes, collections, or even sites. Instead of recreating the same prompt structure repeatedly, build it once as a template and apply it wherever needed.

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What Are Templates?

A template is a saved prompt configuration that includes:
  • Data sources (which product fields to reference)
  • Instructions (how to generate content)
  • Constraints (length limits, format requirements)
  • Advanced settings (model, temperature, etc.)
Templates can be applied to:
  • Multiple attributes of the same type
  • Attributes across different collections
  • Different sites/languages with minor modifications
Templates save time and ensure consistency—all products using the same template get content generated with the same instructions and style.

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Why Use Templates?

Consistency

Ensure all products in your catalog use the same tone, style, and structure for specific attributes

Efficiency

Configure once, apply many times—no need to rebuild prompts for each collection or site

Collaboration

Share proven templates with team members for consistent brand voice

Experimentation

Create multiple template versions to A/B test which generates the best content

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Creating a Template

1

Configure a Prompt

Start by configuring a prompt for any attribute (see Attribute Prompts)
2

Test & Refine

Test the prompt with sample products and refine until you’re satisfied with quality
3

Save as Template

In the prompt configuration modal, click “Save as Template”
4

Name Your Template

Give it a descriptive name:
  • ✅ “Description - Fashion - Casual Tone”
  • ✅ “Color - Auto-detect from Images”
  • ❌ “Template 1”
5

Add Description (Optional)

Include notes about when to use this template: “Use for all apparel products aimed at casual, everyday wear. Emphasizes comfort and versatility.”
6

Save

The template is now available in your template library
Use descriptive template names that include the attribute type, product category, and distinguishing feature (e.g., tone or purpose).

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Template Library

Access your saved templates:
1

Open Attribute Configuration

Click the configuration icon on any attribute
2

Click 'Template Library'

Opens a drawer showing all your saved templates
3

Browse Templates

Templates are organized by attribute type (descriptions, meta tags, attributes, etc.)
4

Preview Template

Click any template to see its full configuration
5

Apply Template

Click “Use Template” to apply it to the current attribute

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Template Versioning

Templates can be versioned for experimentation and improvement:

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Creating a Version

1

Load Existing Template

Apply a template to an attribute
2

Make Modifications

Adjust instructions, constraints, or data sources
3

Save as New Version

Click “Save as New Version” instead of “Save as Template”
4

Version Naming

Name the version descriptively:
  • “Description - Fashion - Casual Tone v1”
  • “Description - Fashion - Casual Tone v2 (shorter)“

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Comparing Versions

1

Test Both Versions

Enrich a sample set of products with version 1
2

Enrich Again with Version 2

Enrich the same products with version 2
3

Compare Results

Review which version produces better quality, tone, or engagement
4

Adopt Winner

Use the better-performing version for bulk enrichment
This A/B testing approach helps you continuously improve content quality without risking your entire catalog.

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Common Template Use Cases

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Use Case 1: Collection-Specific Templates

Create templates for different product categories: Template: “Description - Luxury Fashion” 
Data Sources: {{title}}, {{material}}, {{brand}}, {{collection}}

Instructions:
Write an elegant 180-220 word description emphasizing craftsmanship,
exclusivity, and timeless style. Use sophisticated language. Highlight
the {{material}} quality and {{brand}} heritage.

Constraints:
- Min Words: 180
- Max Words: 220
- Tone: Elegant, sophisticated
Template: “Description - Budget Electronics” 
Data Sources: {{title}}, {{features}}, {{price}}

Instructions:
Write a straightforward 120-150 word description emphasizing value,
practicality, and key features. Keep language simple and accessible.
Focus on what the product does and why it's a good deal at {{price}}.

Constraints:
- Min Words: 120
- Max Words: 150
- Tone: Friendly, practical
Apply the appropriate template based on the product’s collection.

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Use Case 2: Attribute-Specific Template Set

Create specialized templates for common attributes:
  • “Description - Short Form”: Concise 100-150 word descriptions
  • “Description - Long Form”: Detailed 300-500 word descriptions
  • “Color - Visual Analysis”: Extracts color from product images
  • “Color - Title-Based”: Infers color from product title and existing data
  • “Care Instructions - Apparel”: Washing and care for clothing
  • “Care Instructions - Electronics”: Maintenance and usage tips
Choose the right template based on your content needs.

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Use Case 3: Multi-Language Templates

Create templates for each language with cultural customization: English (US) - “Description - Apparel” 
Tone: Casual, friendly
Emphasis: Versatility, style, comfort
Length: 150-200 words
French (FR) - “Description - Apparel” 
Tone: Elegant, refined
Emphasis: Style, quality, sophistication
Length: 120-180 words (French tends to be more concise)
German (DE) - “Description - Apparel” 
Tone: Precise, factual
Emphasis: Quality, durability, specifications
Length: 150-200 words

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Use Case 4: Seasonal Templates

Create templates for seasonal promotions:
  • “Description - Holiday Season”: Emphasizes gift-giving, holiday themes
  • “Description - Summer Sale”: Highlights promotions, urgency
  • “Description - Back to School”: Focuses on practicality for students
Swap templates based on the time of year.

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Template Best Practices

Don’t try to create all templates upfront. Start with one or two for your most common use cases. Add more as you identify patterns.
Include attribute type, category, and distinguishing feature in the name. Your future self (and team members) will thank you.
Add notes explaining when each template should be used, which collections it’s best for, and any special considerations.
When testing improvements, create a new version rather than overwriting the original. This lets you revert if the new version underperforms.
If your team finds a template that produces exceptional results, share it organization-wide for consistency.
Periodically review your template library and archive templates that are no longer used or have been superseded by better versions.

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Template Management

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Organizing Templates

Templates can be organized by:
  • Attribute Type: Descriptions, meta tags, attributes
  • Category: Fashion, electronics, home goods
  • Purpose: SEO, marketing, technical
  • Language: English, French, German, etc.
Use consistent naming to make templates easy to find.

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Sharing Templates

Templates are organization-wide by default:
  • All team members can access and use templates
  • Changes to templates affect future enrichments (not past ones)
  • You can set permissions to restrict who can edit templates (admin only)

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Exporting/Importing Templates

For advanced users managing multiple Cernel organizations or backing up configurations:
1

Export Template

Click “Export” on any template to download as JSON
2

Store Safely

Keep exports as backups or for migration to other organizations
3

Import to Another Org

Click “Import Template” and upload the JSON file
4

Customize for New Context

Adjust any org-specific references or data sources

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Advanced Template Techniques

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Dynamic Placeholders

Templates support dynamic placeholders that adapt to product context: 
Instructions:
Write a {{word_count}} word description for this {{collection}} product.
Emphasize the {{primary_attribute}} as the key selling point.

Dynamic Variables:
- word_count: Varies by collection (luxury = 200, budget = 120)
- primary_attribute: Automatically selected based on product type

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Conditional Logic

Include conditional instructions: 
Instructions:
If {{price}} > $500, emphasize premium quality and craftsmanship.
If {{price}} < $50, emphasize value and affordability.
Otherwise, focus on features and everyday use.
Advanced dynamic features may require custom configuration. Contact support if you need help implementing complex template logic.

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Troubleshooting Templates

Issue: Same template generates widely varying quality across products.Solution: The template likely relies on data sources that aren’t consistently available. Check which products lack key attributes (e.g., material, brand) and either enrich those first or adjust the template to handle missing data gracefully.
Issue: Template doesn’t appear when trying to configure a specific attribute.Solution: Templates are attribute-type specific. A “Description” (HTML) template can’t be used for “Color” (Single Select). Ensure you’re using the right template type.
Issue: Test mode generates perfect content, but production enrichment fails.Solution: Test products may have complete data while production products are missing required fields. Run a data quality check on your catalog before bulk enrichment.

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What’s Next?

Attribute Prompts

Learn the fundamentals of prompt configuration

Bulk Operations

Apply templates to thousands of products

Customizing Prompts Guide

Step-by-step tutorial for building effective templates

Product Enrichment

Use templates to enrich your catalog
Next: Learn about Primary Taxonomy to understand how Cernel selects primary collections and groups.