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Creating a Custom Template

In this tutorial, you create a BBCode template that includes a gallery title, image metadata, all uploaded images, a cover photo, file host download links, and conditional logic. By the end, you have a reusable template that produces formatted output for every gallery.

Prerequisites

  • BBDrop installed and running.
  • At least one completed upload in the gallery queue, so you have data to preview.

Step 1: Open the template manager

Go to Settings > Templates in the menu bar.

The template manager opens with a list of templates on the left and an editor on the right. BBDrop ships with two built-in templates: default and Extended Example. Both are read-only.

Tip

You can also open the template manager from the Templates button in the Quick Settings panel.

Step 2: Create a new template

  1. Click New Template in the template list panel.
  2. Enter a name for your template, such as My Gallery Template.
  3. Click OK.

The new template appears in the list and is selected. The editor is empty and ready for your content.

In the editor, type the following:

[center][size=4][b]#folderName#[/b][/size][/center]

The #folderName# placeholder is replaced with the gallery name (your source folder name) when BBCode is generated.

Tip

Instead of typing placeholders manually, click the Gallery Name button in the placeholder panel on the right side of the editor. It inserts #folderName# at the cursor position.

Step 4: Add image metadata

On a new line below the title, type:

[center][size=2]#pictureCount# images | #extension# | #width#x#height# | #folderSize#[/size][/center]

This line shows the number of uploaded images, the most common file extension (such as JPG), the average image dimensions in pixels, and the total gallery size.

Step 5: Add all images

On a new line, type:

#allImages#

This placeholder expands to the BBCode for every uploaded image --- each one rendered as a clickable thumbnail that links to the full-size image.

Step 6: Add a cover photo

A cover photo is a separate thumbnail uploaded at a different size, intended as a preview image for your gallery. Add it above #allImages#:

#cover#

#allImages#

The #cover# placeholder expands to the cover image BBCode. If no cover photo is configured, the placeholder produces an empty string.

If you use file hosts, the #hostLinks# placeholder inserts download links for each enabled file host. Add it below the images:

[b]Download:[/b]
#hostLinks#

Each file host formats its link using its own BBCode format string (configurable in the file host settings). A typical output looks like:

[url=https://rapidgator.net/file/abc123]Rapidgator[/url]
[url=https://keep2share.cc/file/xyz789]Keep2Share[/url]

Step 8: Add conditional logic

Not every gallery has file host links. Wrap the download section in a conditional block so it only appears when links exist:

[if hostLinks]
[b]Download:[/b]
#hostLinks#
[else]
[i]No downloads available[/i]
[/if]

The [if hostLinks] block checks whether the #hostLinks# placeholder has a value. If it does, the download section renders. If not, the [else] fallback content renders instead.

Tip

Use the [if] Helper button in the Conditionals section of the placeholder panel. It opens a dialog that helps you build conditional blocks without memorizing the syntax.

Step 9: Review your complete template

Your template should now look like this:

[center][size=4][b]#folderName#[/b][/size][/center]
[center][size=2]#pictureCount# images | #extension# | #width#x#height# | #folderSize#[/size][/center]

#cover#

#allImages#

[if hostLinks]
[b]Download:[/b]
#hostLinks#
[else]
[i]No downloads available[/i]
[/if]

Click Validate Syntax at the bottom of the dialog to check for errors. A confirmation message appears if the template is valid.

Step 10: Add custom fields

Custom fields let you add your own data to each gallery. Four fields are available: #custom1# through #custom4#. You edit their values in the gallery table's Custom columns.

Add a tags line at the bottom of your template:

[if custom1]Tags: #custom1#[/if]

This line only appears when you enter a value in the Custom 1 column for a gallery.

Step 11: Save and assign the template

  1. Click OK in the settings dialog to save all changes.
  2. In the main gallery table, click the Template cell for a completed gallery.
  3. Select your new template from the dropdown.

The BBCode regenerates automatically using your template. Right-click the gallery and select View BBCode to see the formatted output.

Note

If auto-regeneration is disabled, right-click the gallery and select Regenerate BBCode to apply the new template manually. You can toggle auto-regeneration in Settings > General.

Template file location

Custom templates are saved as .template.txt files in your central storage directory (~/.bbdrop/templates/ by default). You can back them up, share them between installations, or edit them in a text editor.

Next steps

  • Add #ext1# through #ext4# placeholders to display output from external programs. Set up hooks in Settings > Hooks (External Apps) to populate these fields automatically.
  • See the BBCode Templates guide for a complete reference of all placeholders and conditional syntax.