Stable: 3.1.2
Canary: 4.0.0-alpha.6

Virtual Templates Added in v3.0.0

In addition to template files in your input directory, Eleventy can also process virtual templates defined in your configuration file (or plugins). Related GitHub #1612.

The RSS plugin offers a virtual template to add feeds to your project.

API

eleventyConfig.addTemplate(virtualPath, content, data = {});

virtualPath: used to determine the template language and data cascade for this template. This path is relative to your project’s input directory.
content: usually a string, but maybe JavaScript (if using an 11ty.js template). Can include front matter if the template language supports it.
data: a data object tied to the template. A little more ergonomic than front matter but functionally the same.

Example

Markdown, HTML (via Liquid) Layout

eleventy.config.js

ESM CommonJS

export default function(eleventyConfig) {
	// Create content templates Files
	eleventyConfig.addTemplate("virtual.md", `# Hello`, {
        	layout: "virtual.html"
	});

	// Works great with Layouts too
	eleventyConfig.addTemplate("_includes/virtual.html", `<!-- Layout -->{{ content }}`);
};

module.exports = function(eleventyConfig) {
	// Create content templates Files
	eleventyConfig.addTemplate("virtual.md", `# Hello`, {
        	layout: "virtual.html"
	});

	// Works great with Layouts too
	eleventyConfig.addTemplate("_includes/virtual.html", `<!-- Layout -->{{ content }}`);
};

JavaScript

Any of the JavaScript shapes on 11ty.js templates are also supported here.

eleventy.config.js

ESM CommonJS

export default function(eleventyConfig) {
	// Create content templates Files
	eleventyConfig.addTemplate("virtual.11ty.js", function(data) {
		return `<h1>Hello</h1>`;
	});
};

module.exports = function(eleventyConfig) {
	// Create content templates Files
	eleventyConfig.addTemplate("virtual.11ty.js", function(data) {
		return `<h1>Hello</h1>`;
	});
};