> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lithoblocks.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Template design best practices
> Design effective Slack message templates that are clear, maintainable, and provide a great user experience.
Follow these practices to build templates that are easy to read, maintain, and use.
## Clarity first
Messages should communicate clearly and concisely.
**Good:** Clear hierarchy and scannable — use a header for the main title, sections for content, context for metadata, actions for buttons.
**Bad:** Long paragraphs without structure. Prefer short blocks and lists over walls of text.
## Visual hierarchy
Use block types to create structure:
* **Header** — Main title or status
* **Section** — Primary content
* **Context** — Metadata, timestamps, authors
* **Actions** — Buttons for user actions
* **Divider** — Optional visual break between sections
Put the most important information at the top. Use headers and sections to separate ideas.
## Information density
Balance completeness with readability. Show key info at a glance; use buttons or modals for extra detail when needed. Avoid overloading a single message with too many fields or buttons (e.g. limit to 5 buttons per Actions block).
## Placeholder and data practices
* Use descriptive placeholder names: `{{user.email}}` not `{{e}}`
* Pre-format dates and numbers in your data when possible
* Keep sample data in sync with entity definitions if you use entities
* Test with realistic data (empty, one item, many items) for directives and [table blocks](/guides/templates-table-blocks)
## Interactive elements
* Use clear, action-oriented button labels ("Approve", "View Details") not vague text ("Click here")
* Use Primary (green) for the main action, Danger (red) for destructive actions, Default (gray) for secondary
* Ensure each button has a unique action ID
## Next steps
Structure your messages with blocks.
Add clear, actionable buttons.