# Template Projects

It's possible to to create a template project that can be used to create new projects. This can be used to make it easy for creators to begin making a game with, for example, a gui you develop, rather than the default gui that comes with Ren'Py.

If at least one template project is present on a creator's computer, when creating a new game they will be given the option to select a template project. If they do, the template project will be copied into the new project, and the following changes will be made:

- The `config.name`, `config.save_directory`, and `build.name` variables will be set to the name of the new project.

- The tl directory will be removed, and replaced with default translations taken from the launcher.

- If translatable strings or comments are found matching those in the launcher, the translations will be copied into the new project.

This usually makes an acceptable starting point for new projects.

## Creating a Template Project

To create a template project, you need to create a Ren'Py project, then add a project.json file to it. This file should contain the following text:

    { "type" : "template" }

Save it, then refresh the launcher, and you should be able to use your template.

## Distributing a Template Project

You can distribut a template project by zipping it up manually. (You should not use the Distribute command.) It might make sense to delete the `game/saves` and `game/cache` directories before zipping it up, though this is not required.

The end user can unzip the template project into their projects directory, then refresh the launcher to make it available.