How to: Pass Custom Parameters to Templates

You can use the CustomParameter element in your .vstemplate file to add new parameters to a template. For a complete list of template parameters, see Template Parameters.

To add a custom parameter

1. Locate the TemplateContent element in the .vstemplate file for the template.

2. Add a CustomParameters element and one or more CustomParameter child elements as children of the TemplateContent element. For example:

   <TemplateContent>
       ...
       <CustomParameters>
           <CustomParameter Name="$MyParameter1$" Value="MyValue2"/>
           <CustomParameter Name="$MyParameter2$" Value="MyValue2"/>
       </CustomParameters>
   </TemplateContent>
   

3. Use the parameter in one or more of the code files in the template. For example:

   string Value1 = "$MyParameter1"
   string Value2 = "$MyParameter2"
   

   When a project is created from the template, the values set by the Value attributes of the CustomParameter elements corresponding to the parameters will replace the parameters in the code files.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Substitute Parameters in a Template

Reference

CustomParameter Element (Visual Studio Templates)

Visual Studio Template Schema Reference

Concepts

Template Parameters

Other Resources

Visual Studio Templates

Starter Kits