Did you know that on DEV you have the ability to set up templates for comments that you can use in the comment section of posts?
If you find yourself dropping the same GIF over and over again or offering the same words of wisdom to folks, consider creating a template!
How to create a comment template
In order to create a template, you'll need to go to the extensions section of your settings located here.
Navigate down to "Add new comment template", type in the comment body content, give it a title, and save it. Note: you might consider typing out your comment in the discussion section of a post so you can take advantage of the Markdown toolbar; you can copy/paste it over afterward.
How to use a comment template
So, you've got your templates, but how to use them? Just follow theses steps:
- Go to the comments section of a post. (Perhaps the latest welcome thread)
- Click into the text box to reply to someone or leave a fresh comment.
- Click the three dots in the bottom right corner of the input box.
- Click the 4th icon from the left that looks a bit like a book.
- See your list of available templates and click insert on the one that you wish to have dropped into the input box.
- Feel free to modify it or send as is.
Boom! You've sent your first comment template. 🙌
Loom video tutorial
I filmed a 5 minute tutorial walking you through everything above — how to create and use a comment template!
Advice on how and how not to use this feature
This feature can be really handy for things like setting up a welcome message that you can drop in the welcome thread each week or making it so you can quickly grab a favorite GIF. It can also be useful if you find yourself regularly showing folks how to do different things on DEV like embedding YouTube videos or creating a table of contents.
That said, it could be annoying if misused. Please refrain from using templates to promote yourself or business in mass. In the right context it can make sense to mention a post you've created or the company you work for, but don't set up a template with the sole purpose of jumping into each post to promote X. We may suspend those folks who do this as it's against the content policy listed in our Terms; don't hesitate to report this kind of behavior to us if you see it.
That's all folks! 🥕
If anybody has any fun templates they've come up with that they wanna share, please drop'em in the comments.
Hope y'all keep enjoying DEV!
Top comments (7)
Here's the one I created in my loom example:
I'll comment in thread to show y'all what it looks like!
Hey there! Welcome to DEV.
It's great to have ya with us! 🤜 🤛
This is one feature that I use heavily lol if folks ever wonder how I get my animated GIF comments up.
Awww yeah! I def thought of you when setting up my own GIFs.
Oh, I didn't know this. It could be helpful off to test it.
Created "Hello There" gif template. Works just like the article states.
Wooty woot! I really do think this feature is prime for GIF'ing, haha.
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