Editing Incubator escapee wiki:Template namespace (section)

== Guidelines ==
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{{further|Wikipedia:Be bold#Template namespace}}
* Templates should not normally be used to store [[Wikipedia:What is an article?|article text]], as this makes it more difficult to edit the content. They should also [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Scrolling lists and collapsible content|not be used to "collapse" or "hide" content]] from the reader.
* Templates used in articles are designed to provide information to assist readers, such as navigation aids, formatting, or warnings that content is sub-standard. Templates that provide information only of service to editors should not appear on article pages{{snd}}use the article's talk page or other non-article namespaces.
* Template function should be clear from the [[#Template names|template name]], but [[Wikipedia:Redirects#Template redirects|redirects]] can be created to assist everyday use of very popular templates.
* [[Wikipedia:High-risk templates|High-risk templates]] should be semi-protected, [[Wikipedia:Template editor|template protected]], or fully protected as appropriate (see [[Wikipedia:Protection policy]]). This applies also to any high-use template redirects.
* Templates should be clearly [[#Documentation|documented]] as to their usage and scope.
* Templates should not be used to create lists of links to other articles when a [[Wikipedia:Categories, lists, and navigation templates#Categories|category]], [[Wikipedia:Categories, lists, and navigation templates#Lists|list page]], or [[Wikipedia:See also|"See also" section list]] can perform the same function.
* Templates for short, temporary messages that will be removed quickly (such as on User_talk: pages) or that contain text which is not likely to ever be changed should be invoked with [[#Substitution|substitution]] (subst:). Typical templates that are intended for long-term use and are likely to require changes should be transcluded for easy future updates.
* Templates that violate the guidelines on this page, have poorly defined function, are redundant, become orphaned or used on only one page, or violate any Wikipedia policies may be nominated for deletion at [[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion]].