> ## 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.
# Quickstart
> Create your first Slack message template with dynamic data and send it to your workspace in 5 minutes.
Learn how to create a simple Slack message template with dynamic data and send it to your workspace.
## Watch the demo
## Prerequisites
* Slack workspace connected (see [Connecting Slack](/connecting-slack))
* Basic understanding of JSON data structures
## Step 1: Create a new template
1. Navigate to **Templates** in the sidebar
2. Click **Create Template**
3. Enter a name: `Welcome Message`
4. Click **Create**
You'll be taken to the Template Builder.
## Step 2: Add your first block
1. In the **Block Toolbox** above the canvas, find the **Header** block
2. Click it to add it to your template
3. In the text field, type: `Welcome to the Team!`
## Step 3: Add dynamic content with placeholders
1. Click **Section** in the Block Toolbox
2. In the text area, type:
```
Hi {{user.name}}, welcome aboard! We're excited to have you join us as a {{user.role}}.
```
The `{{user.name}}` and `{{user.role}}` are **placeholders** — they're replaced with actual data when you send the message.
## Step 4: Add sample data for preview
1. Click the **Sample Data** tab in the right panel
2. Switch to **JSON editor**
3. Add this sample data:
```json theme={null}
{
"user": {
"name": "Alex Johnson",
"role": "Software Engineer"
}
}
```
4. Click back to the **Preview** tab
You should see your placeholders replaced with the sample data.
Preview frequently to check how your message looks before sending.
## Step 5: Save and send
1. Click **Save** in the top right
2. Click **Send to Slack**
3. Select a channel or user
4. The template is compiled with your sample data and sent
5. Check your Slack workspace for the message
## What you've built
You now have a template with:
* Static content (header)
* Dynamic placeholders (user name and role)
* An interactive button
* Sample data for testing
## Next steps
Learn advanced placeholder syntax for nested objects and arrays.
Explore all available block types.
Make buttons trigger webhooks or open modals.
Connect buttons to external systems.
## Common issues
Make sure you have sample data in the Sample Data tab that matches your placeholder structure.
Check that all placeholders reference fields that exist in your sample data. Syntax errors (e.g. `{{user..name}}` with double dots) will also cause failures.
Verify the Actions block is saved and the template compiled without errors.