---
title: kapacitor define-template
description: The kapacitor define-template command creates or updates a template.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/kapacitor/v1/reference/cli/kapacitor/define-template/
estimated_tokens: 430
product: Kapacitor
version: v1
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/kapacitor/v1/reference/cli/kapacitor/define-template/
date: '2023-10-03T10:49:57-06:00'
lastmod: '2023-10-03T10:49:57-06:00'
---

The `kapacitor define-template` command creates or updates a template.
A template is defined using a TICKscript that contains the data processing
pipeline of the template.

> [!Note]
> Updating a template reloads all associated tasks.

## Usage

```sh
kapacitor define-template <template-id> [flags]
```

## Arguments

* **template-id**: Unique identifier for the template

## Flags

| Flag  |            Description            |
|-------|-----------------------------------|
|`-tick`|        TICKscript filepath        |
|`-type`|Template type (`stream` or `batch`)|

## Examples

* [Create a new template for stream tasks](#create-a-new-template-for-stream-tasks)
* [Create a new template for batch tasks](#create-a-new-template-for-batch-tasks)
* [Update a template’s TICKscript](#update-a-templates-tickscript)
* [Update a template’s type](#update-a-templates-type)

### Create a new template for stream tasks

When creating a new template, you must provide a template ID, TICKscript, and
template type.

```sh
kapacitor define-template my-template \
  -tick /path/to/TICKscript.tick \
  -type stream
```

### Create a new template for batch tasks

When creating a new template, you must provide a template ID, TICKscript, and
template type.

```sh
kapacitor define-template my-template \
  -tick /path/to/TICKscript.tick \
  -type batch
```

### Update a template’s TICKscript

```sh
kapacitor define-template existing-template \
  -tick /path/to/new_TICKscript.tick
```

### Update a template’s type

```sh
kapacitor define-template existing-template -type batch
```
| Flag | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Flag | Description |
| -tick | TICKscript filepath |
| -type | Template type ( stream  or  batch ) |