A user can package one or more file(s) into a group and specify that the group is to be converted into a template. An IDE process can automatically index the content of the group and create a metadata file to represent the indexed content. The indexed file group and metadata can serve as a template for creating new files with properties of the original file(s). Completed templates are packaged together in one file such as a .zip file. Completed templates can be added to a User Interface (UI) accessible location, such as a collection of templates accessible to UI dialog processes for opening new files. The metadata file authored in a declarative programming language such as XML.