Generate an element template
You can configure and automatically generate a custom element template in Web Modeler.
Use this page
Use this page for both BPMN element templates and connector templates:
- Generate a BPMN element template.
- Generate a connector template.
- To customize a generated connector template after creation, see connector templates.
Best practices
When creating custom-built element templates, consider the recommended best practices to ensure they are effective, user-friendly, and maintainable.
Generate a BPMN element template
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Select the Web Modeler project where you want to create the template.
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Create a process application to hold your template. Storing files in a process application is required for SaaS. In preparation for 8.10, it's also recommended for Self-Managed.
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Click Create new, then select Element template to open the Create new element template screen.

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Select the template starting point:
- Call activity: Start from a call activity template.
- Event: Start from an event template.
You can choose from predefined event templates, such as message event, timer event, signal event. - Task: Start from a task template.
You can choose from predefined task templates, such as user task, service task, script task, and more. - Blank: Start from a blank template. A blank template includes only the basic properties shared by all BPMN elements and allows you to customize the template from scratch.
Continue with configure the template details below.
Generate a connector template
Use this section to create a connector template in Web Modeler.
You can start from a blank template or import an existing API definition such as an OpenAPI specification, Swagger specification, or a Postman collection. For example, download a Postman collection as a YAML file, import it into the generator, and choose which methods to include in the generated template.
To generate a connector template:
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Select the Web Modeler project where you want to create the template.
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Create a process application to hold your template. Storing files in a process application is required for SaaS. In preparation for 8.10, it's also recommended for Self-Managed.
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Click Create new, select Element template, and then choose the Connector tab.

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Select the template starting point:
- From API definition: Import an existing API definition file as a starting point. The Import data source section will appear below the template details.
- From blank: Start from a blank template.
Continue with configure the template details below.
Configure the template details
In the Configure template details section, provide the following information:
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Name: Enter a clear and descriptive name for the template. For example, include the brand name if the template connects to a service, or indicate its main feature.
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Description: Describe the template’s main features and benefits.
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Icon: Use a default BPMN symbol or upload a custom icon. Supported formats: SVG, PNG, JPEG. Maximum file size: 8 KB. Minimum dimensions: 512 × 512 pixels. To add an icon, enter the image URL and click Import icon, or drag and drop a file into the upload area.
noteIf you do not configure template details at this stage, a default name and BPMN symbol are assigned. You can edit them later.
Only for connector templates: Import an API definition
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If you selected From API definition, the Import data source section appears.
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Select the format to import (OpenAPI or Postman) and click Import file.
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Import the API definition:
- Import file from URL: Enter the API definition URL and click Import icon.
- Upload file: Drag and drop a file into the upload area, or click the link to select a file.
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After importing, select which actions to include from the generated list of supported methods.

infoFor more information on working with and configuring connector templates, see Connector templates.
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Click Create template to generate the new template and open it in the element template editor.