Local template variables

Create reusable text templates on Mac

Write templates as ordinary text with placeholders, keep the saved source readable, and fill values locally only when you explicitly Copy.

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Templates remain plain, portable text

Add placeholders directly to any Draft or Snippet. Scriby stores the exact text you wrote rather than replacing variables during save, autosave, duplicate, append, import, or export.

Hi {{client}},

Here is the update for {{date}}.
The next step is {{next_step}}.

Built-ins include {{date}}, {{time}}, {{datetime}}, {{weekday}}, {{month}}, {{tomorrow}}, and {{day}}. You can add custom variables such as {{client}} and {{next_step}}.

Fill values at the explicit Copy boundary

When copied text contains placeholders, Scriby opens Variables with local fields and a live Payload Preview. Copy happens only after you confirm.

  • Built-ins and saved custom defaults are prefilled
  • Preview shows the exact body text to be copied
  • Blank fields keep original placeholders
  • Cancel leaves the clipboard and source unchanged

Tune variables without locking the template

Quick insertion

Insert literal variables from the Draft Header, use Shift-Command-{, or type {{ to open completion.

Custom defaults

Save frequently used values in Manage Variables. Defaults remain local and can still be changed for each Copy.

Date and time formats

Choose the local format Scriby uses for built-in date and time variables.

Manage Variables controls menu order, visibility, defaults, and formats. It is not a whitelist: valid placeholders typed into body text remain valid even when hidden from the insertion menu.

No background expansion and no pasting into other apps

Scriby does not watch what you type in other apps, monitor the clipboard, or paste template output on your behalf. It prepares text inside its own compact Panel and writes to the clipboard only through an explicit Copy action.

Snippet tags remain separate metadata. They can help find a template but never appear in the copied payload.

Explicit local output is also available from Pro

The Pro scribyctl Agent CLI can fill a Draft or Snippet to stdout with --fill, or open a transient local Variables overlay with --interactive. CLI output never silently rewrites saved template source.