# What Is the /add-template Command in the AI Job Search Framework? > Discover the /add-template command in the AI Job Search framework. Easily register custom CV and cover-letter templates to replace defaults and generate your own PDF designs. - Repository: [Mads Lorentzen/ai-job-search](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-08-29 --- **The `/add-template` command registers custom CV or cover-letter templates with the AI Job Search framework, enabling you to replace default LaTeX templates with your own PDF-producing designs through a five-step validation and storage workflow.** The `/add-template` command is a core configuration utility in the MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search repository that extends the framework beyond its built-in ModernCV and cover-cls defaults. By registering your own LaTeX, Typst, or other compiled document designs, you ensure AI-generated application materials render using your specific typography, layout rules, and branding requirements. ## How the /add-template Command Works According to the source specification in [`.claude/commands/add-template.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/.claude/commands/add-template.md), the command executes a strict five-step pipeline that validates, stores, and activates template configurations for use with the `/apply` workflow. ### Step 1: Parse Arguments The command accepts optional flags to manage existing templates rather than initiate new registrations. Supply `--list` to enumerate all registered templates, or use `--use ` to switch the active template without running the full setup flow. ### Step 2: Collect Template Metadata Interactive prompts capture essential configuration parameters: **template type** (CV versus cover letter), source file extension, **compile command**, engine/toolchain, required fonts, style rules, page limits, and known formatting pitfalls. This metadata ensures the AI respects your design constraints when generating content. ### Step 3: Store the Template The framework creates a dedicated folder under `templates/cv//` or `templates/cover_letters//`, copies the skeleton source file, bundles companion assets and fonts, and writes a [`TEMPLATE.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/TEMPLATE.md) manifest documenting the complete configuration. ### Step 4: Verify Compilation Before activation, the framework compiles a test document populated with dummy data. This verification step confirms the template builds successfully and respects the declared **page limit**, preventing broken or malformed application submissions. ### Step 5: Activate the Template The command inserts a **managed block** into [`05-cv-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/05-cv-templates.md) or [`06-cover-letter-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/06-cover-letter-templates.md). The `/apply` command subsequently reads these guidance files to determine which template to use when rendering final PDFs. ## Practical Usage Examples ### List All Registered Templates To view available templates without changing the active state: ```bash /add-template --list ``` ### Register a New Template Initiate the interactive registration flow by providing the path to your source file: ```bash /add-template path/to/my-cv.tex ``` ### Switch Between Templates Activate a previously registered template by name, or revert to the framework defaults: ```bash /add-template --use awesome-cv /add-template --use default ``` ## File Structure and Storage Locations Understanding where the command writes data assists with manual troubleshooting and version control. The framework maintains strict separation between CV and cover-letter assets: - [`.claude/commands/add-template.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/.claude/commands/add-template.md) – Command specification, argument parsing logic, and workflow definition. - `templates/cv//` – CV template directory containing `template.tex`, the [`TEMPLATE.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/TEMPLATE.md) manifest, bundled fonts, and dependency files. - `templates/cover_letters//` – Cover-letter template directory with identical structure. - [`05-cv-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/05-cv-templates.md) – Active CV template configuration consumed by the `/apply` command. - [`06-cover-letter-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/06-cover-letter-templates.md) – Active cover-letter template configuration consumed by the `/apply` command. The system guarantees only one managed block exists per guidance file, ensuring clean, reversible configuration states. ## Summary - The `/add-template` command registers custom CV and cover-letter templates in the AI Job Search framework, replacing default ModernCV/cover-cls designs with your own PDF-compiling systems. - The process follows five steps: argument parsing, metadata collection, template storage, compilation verification, and activation via guidance files. - Template assets reside in `templates/cv/` or `templates/cover_letters/` subdirectories, each containing a [`TEMPLATE.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/TEMPLATE.md) manifest and source files. - Use `--list` to view templates, `--use ` to switch, and `--use default` to restore built-in templates. - The command updates [`05-cv-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/05-cv-templates.md) and [`06-cover-letter-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/06-cover-letter-templates.md), which the `/apply` command references during final PDF generation. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What file formats does the /add-template command support? The command supports any PDF-producing template system, including **LaTeX** (.tex), **Typst** (.typ), and other compiled document formats. The framework stores your source file, associated fonts, and compilation instructions, then executes your specified build command during the verification step to ensure compatibility. ### How do I revert to the default templates after registering a custom one? Run `/add-template --use default` to restore the built-in ModernCV and cover-cls templates. This command removes the active managed block from [`05-cv-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/05-cv-templates.md) and [`06-cover-letter-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/06-cover-letter-templates.md), reverting the system to its original configuration without deleting your custom template files from the `templates/` directories. ### Where does the /add-template command store configuration data? Template metadata lives in [`TEMPLATE.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/TEMPLATE.md) files within subdirectories of `templates/cv/` or `templates/cover_letters/`. The active template references are written as **managed blocks** to [`05-cv-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/05-cv-templates.md) and [`06-cover-letter-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/06-cover-letter-templates.md) in the repository root, ensuring the `/apply` command can locate the correct compile instructions and source files. ### How does custom template registration affect the /apply workflow? When you execute `/apply`, the framework reads the managed blocks in [`05-cv-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/05-cv-templates.md) and [`06-cover-letter-templates.md`](https://github.com/MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search/blob/main/06-cover-letter-templates.md) to identify the active template directory. It injects your AI-generated content into the stored source files and executes the registered compile command to produce the final PDF, applying your custom fonts and layout rules automatically.