added templating system

backend/main.py

@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ from .utils import (
     validate_path_security,
     get_all_tags,
     get_notes_by_tag,
+    get_templates,
+    get_template_content,
+    apply_template_placeholders,
 )
 from .plugins import PluginManager
 from .themes import get_available_themes, get_theme_css
@@ -777,6 +780,99 @@ async def get_notes_by_tag_endpoint(tag_name: str):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=safe_error_message(e, "Failed to get notes by tag"))
 
 
+# --- Template Endpoints ---
+
+@api_router.get("/templates")
+async def list_templates():
+    """
+    List all available templates from _templates folder.
+    
+    Returns:
+        List of template metadata
+    """
+    try:
+        templates = get_templates(config['storage']['notes_dir'])
+        return {"templates": templates}
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=safe_error_message(e, "Failed to list templates"))
+
+
+@api_router.get("/templates/{template_name}")
+async def get_template(template_name: str):
+    """
+    Get content of a specific template.
+    
+    Args:
+        template_name: Name of the template (without .md extension)
+        
+    Returns:
+        Template name and content
+    """
+    try:
+        content = get_template_content(config['storage']['notes_dir'], template_name)
+        
+        if content is None:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Template not found")
+        
+        return {
+            "name": template_name,
+            "content": content
+        }
+    except HTTPException:
+        raise
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=safe_error_message(e, "Failed to get template"))
+
+
+@api_router.post("/templates/create-note")
+@limiter.limit("60/minute")
+async def create_note_from_template(request: Request, data: dict):
+    """
+    Create a new note from a template with placeholder replacement.
+    
+    Args:
+        data: Dictionary containing templateName and notePath
+        
+    Returns:
+        Success status, path, and created content
+    """
+    try:
+        template_name = data.get('templateName', '')
+        note_path = data.get('notePath', '')
+        
+        if not template_name or not note_path:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Template name and note path required")
+        
+        # Get template content
+        template_content = get_template_content(config['storage']['notes_dir'], template_name)
+        
+        if template_content is None:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Template not found")
+        
+        # Apply placeholder replacements
+        final_content = apply_template_placeholders(template_content, note_path)
+        
+        # Save the note
+        success = save_note(config['storage']['notes_dir'], note_path, final_content)
+        
+        if not success:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Failed to create note from template")
+        
+        # Run plugin hooks
+        plugin_manager.run_hook('on_note_create', note_path=note_path, initial_content=final_content)
+        
+        return {
+            "success": True,
+            "path": note_path,
+            "message": "Note created from template successfully",
+            "content": final_content
+        }
+    except HTTPException:
+        raise
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=safe_error_message(e, "Failed to create note from template"))
+
+
 # --- Notes Endpoints ---
 
 @api_router.get("/notes")

backend/utils.py

@@ -647,3 +647,108 @@ def get_notes_by_tag(notes_dir: str, tag: str) -> List[Dict]:
     
     return matching_notes
 
+
+# ============================================================================
+# Template Functions
+# ============================================================================
+
+def get_templates(notes_dir: str) -> List[Dict]:
+    """
+    Get all templates from the _templates folder.
+    
+    Args:
+        notes_dir: Base notes directory
+        
+    Returns:
+        List of template metadata (name, path, modified)
+    """
+    templates = []
+    templates_path = Path(notes_dir) / "_templates"
+    
+    if not templates_path.exists():
+        return templates
+    
+    try:
+        for template_file in templates_path.glob("*.md"):
+            try:
+                stat = template_file.stat()
+                templates.append({
+                    "name": template_file.stem,
+                    "path": str(template_file.relative_to(notes_dir).as_posix()),
+                    "modified": datetime.fromtimestamp(stat.st_mtime).isoformat()
+                })
+            except Exception as e:
+                print(f"Error reading template {template_file}: {e}")
+                continue
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error accessing templates directory: {e}")
+    
+    return sorted(templates, key=lambda x: x['name'])
+
+
+def get_template_content(notes_dir: str, template_name: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """
+    Get the content of a specific template.
+    
+    Args:
+        notes_dir: Base notes directory
+        template_name: Name of the template (without .md extension)
+        
+    Returns:
+        Template content or None if not found
+    """
+    template_path = Path(notes_dir) / "_templates" / f"{template_name}.md"
+    
+    if not template_path.exists():
+        return None
+    
+    # Security check: ensure template is within notes directory
+    if not validate_path_security(notes_dir, template_path):
+        print(f"Security: Template path is outside notes directory: {template_path}")
+        return None
+    
+    try:
+        with open(template_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            return f.read()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error reading template {template_name}: {e}")
+        return None
+
+
+def apply_template_placeholders(content: str, note_path: str) -> str:
+    """
+    Replace template placeholders with actual values.
+    
+    Supported placeholders:
+        {{date}}      - Current date (YYYY-MM-DD)
+        {{time}}      - Current time (HH:MM:SS)
+        {{datetime}}  - Current datetime (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS)
+        {{timestamp}} - Unix timestamp
+        {{title}}     - Note name without extension
+        {{folder}}    - Parent folder name
+    
+    Args:
+        content: Template content with placeholders
+        note_path: Path of the note being created
+        
+    Returns:
+        Content with placeholders replaced
+    """
+    now = datetime.now()
+    note = Path(note_path)
+    
+    replacements = {
+        '{{date}}': now.strftime('%Y-%m-%d'),
+        '{{time}}': now.strftime('%H:%M:%S'),
+        '{{datetime}}': now.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S'),
+        '{{timestamp}}': str(int(now.timestamp())),
+        '{{title}}': note.stem,
+        '{{folder}}': note.parent.name if str(note.parent) != '.' else 'Root',
+    }
+    
+    result = content
+    for placeholder, value in replacements.items():
+        result = result.replace(placeholder, value)
+    
+    return result
+

documentation/FEATURES.md

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 - **Three view modes**: Edit, Split, Preview
 - **Auto-save** - Never lose your work
 - **Undo/Redo** - Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y support
+- **Note templates** - Create notes from templates with dynamic placeholders
 - **Syntax highlighting** for code blocks (50+ languages)
 - **Copy code blocks** - One-click copy button on hover
 - **LaTeX/Math rendering** - Beautiful mathematical equations with MathJax (see [MATHJAX.md](MATHJAX.md))
@@ -162,6 +163,49 @@ graph TD
 
 📄 **See the [MERMAID](MERMAID.md) note for diagram examples and syntax reference.**
 
+## 📄 Note Templates
+
+Create notes from reusable templates with dynamic placeholder replacement.
+
+### Creating Templates
+1. Create markdown files in `data/_templates/` folder
+2. Use placeholders for dynamic content
+3. Templates appear in the "New from Template" menu
+
+### Available Placeholders
+- `{{date}}` - Current date (YYYY-MM-DD)
+- `{{time}}` - Current time (HH:MM:SS)
+- `{{datetime}}` - Current date and time
+- `{{timestamp}}` - Unix timestamp
+- `{{title}}` - Note name (without extension)
+- `{{folder}}` - Parent folder name
+
+### Example Template
+```markdown
+---
+tags: [meeting]
+date: {{date}}
+---
+
+# {{title}}
+
+**Created:** {{datetime}}
+
+## Notes
+
+```
+
+### Using Templates
+1. Click the "New" dropdown button
+2. Select "New from Template"
+3. Choose a template and enter a note name
+4. The new note will be created with placeholders replaced
+
+### Built-in Templates
+- **meeting-notes** - Template for meeting notes
+- **daily-journal** - Daily journal with morning goals and evening reflection
+- **project-plan** - Project planning template with objectives and timeline
+
 ## ⚡ Keyboard Shortcuts
 
 ### General

frontend/app.js

@@ -100,6 +100,12 @@ function noteApp() {
         // Dropdown state
         showNewDropdown: false,
         
+        // Template state
+        showTemplateModal: false,
+        availableTemplates: [],
+        selectedTemplate: '',
+        newTemplateNoteName: '',
+        
         // Homepage state
         selectedHomepageFolder: '',
         _homepageCache: {
@@ -258,6 +264,7 @@ function noteApp() {
             await this.loadThemes();
             await this.initTheme();
             await this.loadNotes();
+            await this.loadTemplates();
             await this.checkStatsPlugin();
             this.loadSidebarWidth();
             this.loadEditorWidth();
@@ -591,6 +598,71 @@ function noteApp() {
             this.applyFilters();
         },
         
+        // ========================================================================
+        // Template Methods
+        // ========================================================================
+        
+        // Load available templates from _templates folder
+        async loadTemplates() {
+            try {
+                const response = await fetch('/api/templates');
+                const data = await response.json();
+                this.availableTemplates = data.templates || [];
+            } catch (error) {
+                ErrorHandler.handle('load templates', error, false); // Don't show alert, templates are optional
+            }
+        },
+        
+        // Create a new note from a template
+        async createNoteFromTemplate() {
+            if (!this.selectedTemplate || !this.newTemplateNoteName.trim()) {
+                return;
+            }
+            
+            try {
+                // Determine the note path based on current context
+                let notePath = this.newTemplateNoteName.trim();
+                if (!notePath.endsWith('.md')) {
+                    notePath += '.md';
+                }
+                
+                // If we're in a folder on the homepage, create in that folder
+                if (this.selectedHomepageFolder) {
+                    notePath = `${this.selectedHomepageFolder}/${notePath}`;
+                }
+                
+                // Create note from template
+                const response = await fetch('/api/templates/create-note', {
+                    method: 'POST',
+                    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+                    body: JSON.stringify({
+                        templateName: this.selectedTemplate,
+                        notePath: notePath
+                    })
+                });
+                
+                if (!response.ok) {
+                    const error = await response.json();
+                    alert(error.detail || 'Failed to create note from template');
+                    return;
+                }
+                
+                const data = await response.json();
+                
+                // Close modal and reset state
+                this.showTemplateModal = false;
+                this.selectedTemplate = '';
+                this.newTemplateNoteName = '';
+                
+                // Reload notes and open the new note
+                await this.loadNotes();
+                await this.loadNote(data.path);
+                
+            } catch (error) {
+                ErrorHandler.handle('create note from template', error);
+            }
+        },
+        
         // Clear all tag filters
         clearTagFilters() {
             this.selectedTags = [];

frontend/index.html

@@ -944,7 +944,17 @@
                         >
                             <span class="text-lg">📁</span>
                             <span>New Folder</span>
-                </button>
+                        </button>
+                        <button 
+                            @click.stop="showTemplateModal = true; showNewDropdown = false"
+                            class="w-full px-4 py-2.5 text-sm text-left flex items-center gap-3 transition-colors"
+                            style="color: var(--text-primary);"
+                            onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='var(--bg-hover)'"
+                            onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'"
+                        >
+                            <span class="text-lg">📄</span>
+                            <span>New from Template</span>
+                        </button>
                     </div>
                 </div>
             </div>
@@ -1618,6 +1628,91 @@
         </div>
     </div>
     
+    <!-- Template Selection Modal -->
+    <div x-show="showTemplateModal" 
+         @click.self="showTemplateModal = false; selectedTemplate = ''; newTemplateNoteName = ''"
+         class="fixed inset-0 flex items-center justify-center z-50"
+         style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);"
+         x-cloak>
+        <div class="rounded-lg shadow-xl p-6 max-w-md w-full mx-4"
+             style="background-color: var(--bg-secondary); color: var(--text-primary);"
+             @click.stop>
+            
+            <h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-4" style="color: var(--text-primary);">Create from Template</h2>
+            
+            <!-- Template Selection -->
+            <div class="mb-4">
+                <label class="block text-sm font-medium mb-2" style="color: var(--text-secondary);">
+                    Select Template
+                </label>
+                <select 
+                    x-model="selectedTemplate"
+                    class="w-full px-3 py-2 rounded border"
+                    style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-primary); border-color: var(--border-primary);"
+                >
+                    <option value="">-- Choose a template --</option>
+                    <template x-for="template in availableTemplates" :key="template.name">
+                        <option :value="template.name" x-text="template.name"></option>
+                    </template>
+                </select>
+            </div>
+            
+            <!-- Note Name Input -->
+            <div class="mb-4">
+                <label class="block text-sm font-medium mb-2" style="color: var(--text-secondary);">
+                    Note Name
+                </label>
+                <input 
+                    x-model="newTemplateNoteName"
+                    type="text"
+                    placeholder="Enter note name"
+                    class="w-full px-3 py-2 rounded border"
+                    style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-primary); border-color: var(--border-primary);"
+                    @keydown.enter="createNoteFromTemplate()"
+                />
+            </div>
+            
+            <!-- Info about placeholders -->
+            <div class="mb-4 text-xs p-3 rounded" style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-secondary);">
+                <strong>Available placeholders:</strong><br>
+                <code style="font-family: monospace;">{{date}}</code>, 
+                <code style="font-family: monospace;">{{time}}</code>, 
+                <code style="font-family: monospace;">{{datetime}}</code>, 
+                <code style="font-family: monospace;">{{title}}</code>, 
+                <code style="font-family: monospace;">{{folder}}</code>
+            </div>
+            
+            <!-- Empty state when no templates available -->
+            <div x-show="availableTemplates.length === 0" class="mb-4 text-sm p-3 rounded" style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-secondary);">
+                No templates found. Create templates in the <code style="font-family: monospace;">_templates</code> folder.
+            </div>
+            
+            <!-- Actions -->
+            <div class="flex gap-2">
+                <button 
+                    @click="createNoteFromTemplate()"
+                    :disabled="!selectedTemplate || !newTemplateNoteName.trim() || availableTemplates.length === 0"
+                    class="flex-1 px-4 py-2 rounded font-medium text-white transition-colors"
+                    style="background-color: var(--accent-primary);"
+                    :style="(!selectedTemplate || !newTemplateNoteName.trim() || availableTemplates.length === 0) ? 'opacity: 0.5; cursor: not-allowed;' : ''"
+                    onmouseover="if(!this.disabled) this.style.backgroundColor='var(--accent-hover)'"
+                    onmouseout="if(!this.disabled) this.style.backgroundColor='var(--accent-primary)'"
+                >
+                    Create Note
+                </button>
+                <button 
+                    @click="showTemplateModal = false; selectedTemplate = ''; newTemplateNoteName = ''"
+                    class="flex-1 px-4 py-2 rounded font-medium transition-colors"
+                    style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-primary);"
+                    onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='var(--bg-hover)'"
+                    onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='var(--bg-tertiary)'"
+                >
+                    Cancel
+                </button>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+    
     <script src="/static/app.js"></script>
 </body>
 </html>