Rens Oliemans <ha...@rensoliemans.nl> writes: > ... > However, I did not know that the _template_ also has to start with '|', and > org-capture > still inserts the string "| Bad template |", which does not suggest in any > way that the > lacking '|' would be the problem (after all, it is smart enough to prepend a > '|'). > ... > however, is this also what's ideal? I would suggest one of the following > alternatives: > > - An error is signalled to the user with the root cause of the error: no '|' > at start of > template. In addition, the org-capture-templates variable documentation > string and the > manual would be updated. I am happy to create a patch for this. > > - org-capture could pre- and suffix a '|' if the user did not supply it in > their template. > > What are your thoughts on this?
Org mode is inconsistent here. `org-capture-place-entry' uses `org-capture-verify-tree' and throws an error when the template does not start from a headline or contains headings with lower level after higher level. Yet, `org-capture-place-item' prepends "-" when the template does not start from a list item. And, as you noticed, `org-capture-place-table-line' replaces the template with "Bad template". I think that the best course of action would be automatically fixing the templates, as you propose in option (2), changing `org-capture-place-entry' to automatically prepend "* " if necessary (still leaving the subtree check though). > I am also happy to create a patch for this, however that would be my first > so such a > patch would perhaps have a few iterations ;) That would be welcome. We can take as many iterations as necessary. You may refer to https://orgmode.org/worg/org-contribute.html#first-patch for instructions. -- Ihor Radchenko // yantar92, Org mode contributor, Learn more about Org mode at <https://orgmode.org/>. Support Org development at <https://liberapay.com/org-mode>, or support my work at <https://liberapay.com/yantar92>