# Using a template

The simplest way to initialize a new application is to use a ready-made template as its base. If you need more control you may consider starting from scratch.

# Using the default template

To initialize a new application based on the default template run the following commands:

$ mkdir <app>
$ cd <app>
$ wolkenkit init

This will download the default template that you can use as a starting point to build your own application.

# Using a custom template

If you create wolkenkit applications regularly you may want to create a custom template. For that, all you need to do is storing your custom template in a Git repository. Then, when Initializing a new application, you can use the --template flag to provide the repository:

$ mkdir <app>
$ cd <app>
$ wolkenkit init --template git@github.com:<org>/<repository>.git

Perhaps you need to refer to a specific branch or tag. For that, add the # character and the branch or tag to the Git path:

$ wolkenkit init --template git@github.com:<org>/<repository>.git#<branch-or-tag>

If you don't specify a branch or a tag explicitly, the CLI uses master as default.