Building Custom HTML Templates

The built-in admin() and public() templates cover most cases, but sometimes you need something completely different that will be reused across many pages.

Typical examples:

• A private members-only area with its own header, sidebar and footer
• A documentation site with a custom left-hand navigation
• An invoice or ticket printing layout
• A minimal “coming soon” or maintenance page

In Trongate v2 you have two equally good ways to create your own templates. Pick the one that feels natural for your project.

Option 1 – Add to the Existing templates Module (most common)

Let’s say we are building a private members’ area that has its own layout (different header, different navigation, maybe a dark color scheme). We want to reuse this layout on dozens of pages.

Step 1 – Add a new method

Open modules/templates/Templates.php and add:

Step 2 – Create the template view file

Create the file:

This is a full HTML page – just remember to include this line exactly where your page content should appear:

Step 3 – Use it anywhere

That’s it. No config, no registration, no fuss.

Option 2 – Create a Completely Separate Template Module

Use this when you want a totally self-contained, reusable design (for example, a modern admin theme you plan to reuse on multiple projects).

Step 1 – Make the module

Step 2 – Write the controller (copy-paste ready)

Step 3 – Use it exactly like any other module

Where to Put CSS, JS and Images

Usually, templates will require CSS files and/or JavaScript files. Sometimes they might also contain other types of assets such as images or fonts. As far as choosing a location for all that stuff goes, you have two options:

1. Simple: drop them in public/
2. Self-contained (recommended): store them inside the template module and serve via the module assets trigger:

No extra configuration required.