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Backend templates insert values with {{ path }} and can transform them with filters using the pipe character: {{ path | filter }} or {{ path | filter:arg }}.

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Variables: {{ path }}

Values are resolved from the current context (e.g. page data, article, posts, featured).
You writeMeaning
{{ article.title }}Property of the current article
{{ post.details_url }}URL for a post (e.g. in a loop)
{{ featured[0].title }}First featured item’s title
{{ blog_base_url | default:'/blog' }}URL with fallback
Paths can use dot notation and array indexing. If a value is missing, it usually renders as empty unless you use the default filter.

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Filters

Filters are applied left to right. You can chain several: {{ value | filter1 | filter2:arg }}.

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default — fallback when value is empty

If the value is empty (null, undefined, or empty string), the filter returns the argument instead. The argument can be another variable or a quoted string. 
{{ article.date_short | default:article.published_at | default:article.created_at }}
This shows date_short if present; otherwise published_at; otherwise created_at. So you can chain multiple fallbacks. Literal fallback: 
{{ article.author_name | default:'Author' }}
{{ article.reading_time | default:'5' }} min read

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slice — substring or first character

Use slice:start:length (e.g. slice:0:1 for the first character). Helpful for things like avatar initials. 
{{ (article.author_name | default:'A') | slice:0:1 }}
Parentheses ensure the whole expression article.author_name | default:'A' is evaluated first, then slice:0:1 is applied to the result.

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raw — output HTML unescaped

By default, output is escaped for safety. Use raw only when the value is trusted HTML (e.g. stored rich content like article body or excerpt). 
{{ article.body | raw }}
{{ (post.excerpt | default:post.summary | default:'') | raw }}

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Other common filters

FilterPurposeExample
upperUppercase{{ title | upper }}
lowerLowercase{{ title | lower }}
truncateLimit length{{ text | truncate:100 }}
replaceReplace text{{ text | replace:"old","new" }}

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Patterns from real templates

These patterns are used in built-in blog and content templates. Date with fallbacks: 
<span>{{ article.date_short | default:article.published_at | default:article.created_at }}</span>
Avatar initial when no image: 
{{ (article.author_name | default:'A') | slice:0:1 }}
Excerpt or summary, then output as HTML: 
{{ (featured[0].excerpt | default:featured[0].summary | default:'') | raw }}
Optional category: 
@if(post.category)
  <span>{{ post.category.name }}</span>
@endif

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Summary

  • Use {{ path }} to output a value; use | filter or | filter:arg to transform it.
  • Chained default — a | default:b | default:c gives the first non-empty value.
  • slice:0:1 — First character; combine with (expression | default:'X') for safe initials.
  • raw — Use only for trusted HTML (e.g. article body, excerpt).
  • Parentheses — {{ (expression) | filter }} so the filter applies to the whole expression.
For conditionals and loops, see Directives. For client-side templates, see Frontend Template Engine.