diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 5f23198..9bc78dc 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Windows PowerShell:
 - If the directory or file does not exist, it is created automatically.
 - Entries are appended as `[YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM] <text>`.
 - `jot` and `jot init` behave the same.
-- `jot list` prints the entire file to stdout.
+- `jot list` prints the journal and any template notes in the current directory.
 - `jot patterns` prints a fixed line.
 
 ## Design constraints (do not violate)
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ Windows PowerShell:
 
 - `ensureJournal()` handles path resolution and lazy creation.
 - `jotInit()` reads a single line and appends it with a timestamp.
-- `jotList()` streams the journal to stdout.
+- `jotList()` streams the journal and template notes to stdout.
 
 ## Tests
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8200f3f..60114b2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -140,6 +140,8 @@ You’ll see a simple timeline:
 This is not a feed.
 It’s a mirror.
 
+Template notes created in the current directory (like meeting, standup, or RFC notes) are included in the list output too.
+
 ---
 
 ## patterns
@@ -200,6 +202,53 @@ If it feels quiet, you’re close.
 
 ---
 
+## templates
+
+Create structured notes quickly with templates.
+
+```bash
+jot new --template daily
+```
+
+Add a name to create multiple notes from the same template in a day:
+
+```bash
+jot new --template meeting -n "Team Sync-Up"
+```
+
+Built-in templates:
+
+```bash
+jot templates
+# or
+jot list templates
+```
+
+Templates render a few variables:
+
+* `{{date}}` → `YYYY-MM-DD`
+* `{{time}}` → `HH:MM`
+* `{{datetime}}` → `YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM`
+* `{{repo}}` → current git repo name (empty if not in a repo)
+
+### custom templates
+
+Create a file in your config templates directory and use its filename (without extension) as the template name.
+
+```
+~/.config/jot/templates/standup.md
+```
+
+On Windows, this lives under `%AppData%\\jot\\templates`. If the config dir is not available, jot falls back to `~/.jot/templates`.
+
+Then run:
+
+```bash
+jot new --template standup
+```
+
+---
+
 ## data & privacy
 
 Your thoughts are yours.
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 31fd288..6e3a7e3 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 	"unicode"
@@ -29,7 +30,26 @@ func main() {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if len(args) == 1 && args[0] == "list" {
+	if len(args) >= 1 && args[0] == "new" {
+		if err := jotNew(os.Stdout, time.Now, args[1:]); err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	if len(args) >= 1 && args[0] == "list" {
+		if len(args) == 2 && (args[1] == "templates" || args[1] == "--templates" || args[1] == "-t") {
+			if err := jotTemplates(os.Stdout); err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
+				os.Exit(1)
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		if len(args) != 1 {
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "usage: jot list [templates]")
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
 		if err := jotList(os.Stdout); err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
 			os.Exit(1)
@@ -42,6 +62,14 @@ func main() {
 		return
 	}
 
+	if len(args) == 1 && args[0] == "templates" {
+		if err := jotTemplates(os.Stdout); err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
 	if len(args) >= 1 && args[0] == "capture" {
 		if err := jotCapture(os.Stdout, args[1:], time.Now, launchEditor); err != nil {
 			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
@@ -50,7 +78,7 @@ func main() {
 		return
 	}
 
-	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "usage: jot [init|list|patterns|capture]")
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "usage: jot [init|capture|list|new|patterns|templates]")
 	os.Exit(1)
 }
 
@@ -100,8 +128,12 @@ func jotList(w io.Writer) error {
 	}
 	defer file.Close()
 
-	if !isTTY(w) {
-		_, err = io.Copy(w, file)
+	items, err := collectJournalEntries(file)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	noteItems, err := collectTemplateNotes(mustGetwd())
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -121,6 +153,11 @@ func jotList(w io.Writer) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+func writeListItemsTTY(w io.Writer, items []listItem) error {
+	var lines []string
+	for _, item := range items {
+		lines = append(lines, item.lines...)
+	}
 	lastIdx := len(lines) - 1
 	for lastIdx >= 0 && strings.TrimSpace(lines[lastIdx]) == "" {
 		lastIdx--
@@ -157,6 +194,119 @@ func jotList(w io.Writer) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func parseTimestamp(line string) time.Time {
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(line, "[") {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	end := strings.IndexByte(line, ']')
+	if end <= 1 {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	ts := strings.TrimSpace(line[1:end])
+	parsed, err := time.Parse("2006-01-02 15:04", ts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return time.Time{}
+	}
+	return parsed
+}
+
+func isTemplateNoteName(name string) bool {
+	if !strings.HasSuffix(strings.ToLower(name), ".md") {
+		return false
+	}
+	if len(name) < len("2006-01-02-.md") {
+		return false
+	}
+	if name[4] != '-' || name[7] != '-' {
+		return false
+	}
+	datePart := name[:10]
+	if _, err := time.Parse("2006-01-02", datePart); err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+func jotNew(w io.Writer, now func() time.Time, args []string) error {
+	set := flag.NewFlagSet("new", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	set.SetOutput(io.Discard)
+	var templateName string
+	var noteName string
+	set.StringVar(&templateName, "template", "daily", "template to use")
+	set.StringVar(&noteName, "name", "", "note name")
+	set.StringVar(&noteName, "n", "", "note name")
+	if err := set.Parse(args); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if set.NArg() != 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected arguments: %v", set.Args())
+	}
+
+	templates, err := loadTemplates()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	content, ok := templates[templateName]
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("template %q not found", templateName)
+	}
+
+	currentTime := now()
+	repo := repoName()
+	rendered := renderTemplate(content, currentTime, repo)
+	if !strings.HasSuffix(rendered, "\n") {
+		rendered += "\n"
+	}
+
+	filename := templateName
+	if noteName != "" {
+		slug := slugifyName(noteName)
+		if slug == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("note name must contain letters or numbers")
+		}
+		filename = fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", templateName, slug)
+	}
+	filename = fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s.md", currentTime.Format("2006-01-02"), filename)
+	path := filepath.Join(mustGetwd(), filename)
+	file, err := os.OpenFile(path, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL, 0o600)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, os.ErrExist) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("note already exists: %s", path)
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, err := io.WriteString(file, rendered); err != nil {
+		_ = file.Close()
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := file.Close(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	_, err = fmt.Fprintln(w, path)
+	return err
+}
+
+func jotTemplates(w io.Writer) error {
+	templates, err := loadTemplates()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	var names []string
+	for name := range templates {
+		names = append(names, name)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+
+	for _, name := range names {
+		if _, err := fmt.Fprintln(w, name); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func ensureJournal() (string, error) {
 	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -187,6 +337,165 @@ func journalPaths(home string) (string, string) {
 	return journalDir, journalPath
 }
 
+func templateDir() (string, error) {
+	configDir, err := os.UserConfigDir()
+	if err == nil && configDir != "" {
+		return filepath.Join(configDir, "jot", "templates"), nil
+	}
+
+	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(home, ".jot", "templates"), nil
+}
+
+func loadTemplates() (map[string]string, error) {
+	templates := builtinTemplates()
+	custom, err := loadCustomTemplates()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	for name, content := range custom {
+		templates[name] = content
+	}
+	return templates, nil
+}
+
+func builtinTemplates() map[string]string {
+	return map[string]string{
+		"daily": strings.Join([]string{
+			"# Daily Log — {{date}}",
+			"",
+			"## Focus",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Notes",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Closing",
+			"- What moved?",
+		}, "\n"),
+		"meeting": strings.Join([]string{
+			"# Meeting — {{date}} {{time}}",
+			"",
+			"## Attendees",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Agenda",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Notes",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Next Steps",
+			"- ",
+		}, "\n"),
+		"rfc": strings.Join([]string{
+			"# RFC — {{repo}} — {{date}}",
+			"",
+			"## Problem",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Proposal",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Alternatives",
+			"- ",
+			"",
+			"## Risks",
+			"- ",
+		}, "\n"),
+	}
+}
+
+func loadCustomTemplates() (map[string]string, error) {
+	dir, err := templateDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return map[string]string{}, nil
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	custom := make(map[string]string)
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		name := strings.TrimSuffix(entry.Name(), filepath.Ext(entry.Name()))
+		if strings.TrimSpace(name) == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, entry.Name()))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		custom[name] = string(data)
+	}
+	return custom, nil
+}
+
+func renderTemplate(content string, now time.Time, repo string) string {
+	replacements := strings.NewReplacer(
+		"{{date}}", now.Format("2006-01-02"),
+		"{{time}}", now.Format("15:04"),
+		"{{datetime}}", now.Format("2006-01-02 15:04"),
+		"{{repo}}", repo,
+	)
+	return replacements.Replace(content)
+}
+
+func slugifyName(name string) string {
+	name = strings.TrimSpace(name)
+	if name == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	var builder strings.Builder
+	for _, r := range name {
+		switch {
+		case unicode.IsLetter(r), unicode.IsDigit(r):
+			builder.WriteRune(r)
+		case r == '-', r == '_':
+			builder.WriteRune(r)
+		default:
+			builder.WriteRune(' ')
+		}
+	}
+	parts := strings.Fields(builder.String())
+	if len(parts) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return strings.ToLower(strings.Join(parts, "-"))
+}
+
+func repoName() string {
+	wd := mustGetwd()
+	for {
+		if info, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(wd, ".git")); err == nil && info != nil {
+			return filepath.Base(wd)
+		}
+		parent := filepath.Dir(wd)
+		if parent == wd {
+			break
+		}
+		wd = parent
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func mustGetwd() string {
+	wd, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "."
+	}
+	return wd
+}
+
 func isTTY(w io.Writer) bool {
 	file, ok := w.(*os.File)
 	if !ok {
diff --git a/main_test.go b/main_test.go
index d658f24..a13f634 100644
--- a/main_test.go
+++ b/main_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
 	"runtime"
 	"strings"
@@ -77,6 +78,19 @@ func TestEnsureJournalCreatesDirAndFile(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestJotListStreamsFile(t *testing.T) {
 	home := withTempHome(t)
+	workdir := t.TempDir()
+	previousDir, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("getwd failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if err := os.Chdir(previousDir); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("restore cwd failed: %v", err)
+		}
+	})
+	if err := os.Chdir(workdir); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("chdir failed: %v", err)
+	}
 	journalDir, journalPath := journalPaths(home)
 
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(journalDir, 0o700); err != nil {
@@ -125,6 +139,120 @@ func TestJotInitAppendsWithTimestamp(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestLoadTemplatesIncludesCustom(t *testing.T) {
+	home := withTempHome(t)
+	t.Setenv("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", filepath.Join(home, ".config"))
+	customDir, err := templateDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("templateDir returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(customDir, 0o700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mkdir failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(customDir, "daily.md"), []byte("custom"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	templates, err := loadTemplates()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("loadTemplates returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+	if templates["daily"] != "custom" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected custom template override, got %q", templates["daily"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderTemplate(t *testing.T) {
+	fixed := time.Date(2024, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, 0, time.FixedZone("Z", 0))
+	content := "{{date}} {{time}} {{datetime}} {{repo}}"
+	result := renderTemplate(content, fixed, "jot")
+	if result != "2024-02-03 04:05 2024-02-03 04:05 jot" {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected render result: %q", result)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJotNewDoesNotOverwriteExistingNote(t *testing.T) {
+	workdir := t.TempDir()
+	previousDir, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("getwd failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if err := os.Chdir(previousDir); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("restore cwd failed: %v", err)
+		}
+	})
+	if err := os.Chdir(workdir); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("chdir failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	fixedNow := func() time.Time {
+		return time.Date(2024, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, 0, time.FixedZone("Z", 0))
+	}
+	filename := filepath.Join(workdir, "2024-02-03-daily.md")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filename, []byte("existing"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	err = jotNew(&out, fixedNow, []string{"--template", "daily"})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error when note exists")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "note already exists") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected already exists error, got %v", err)
+	}
+	content, err := os.ReadFile(filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if string(content) != "existing" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected existing note to remain unchanged, got %q", string(content))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJotNewWithNameCreatesNamedNote(t *testing.T) {
+	workdir := t.TempDir()
+	previousDir, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("getwd failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		if err := os.Chdir(previousDir); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("restore cwd failed: %v", err)
+		}
+	})
+	if err := os.Chdir(workdir); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("chdir failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	fixedNow := func() time.Time {
+		return time.Date(2024, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, 0, time.FixedZone("Z", 0))
+	}
+
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	if err := jotNew(&out, fixedNow, []string{"--template", "meeting", "-n", "Team Sync-Up"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("jotNew returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	expected := filepath.Join(workdir, "2024-02-03-meeting-team-sync-up.md")
+	if strings.TrimSpace(out.String()) != expected {
+		t.Fatalf("expected output %q, got %q", expected, strings.TrimSpace(out.String()))
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(expected); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected file to exist: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSlugifyName(t *testing.T) {
+	if slug := slugifyName(" Team Sync-Up "); slug != "team-sync-up" {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected slug: %q", slug)
+	}
+	if slug := slugifyName("###"); slug != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected empty slug, got %q", slug)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestParseCaptureArgsWithContent(t *testing.T) {
 	options, err := parseCaptureArgs([]string{"hello", "world", "--title", "greeting", "--tag", "foo", "--tag", "bar", "--project", "alpha", "--repo", "jot"})
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/packaging/chocolatey/README.md b/packaging/chocolatey/README.md
index d09763f..e8ea2b2 100644
--- a/packaging/chocolatey/README.md
+++ b/packaging/chocolatey/README.md
@@ -126,6 +126,8 @@ You’ll see a simple timeline:
 This is not a feed.
 It’s a mirror.
 
+Template notes created in the current directory (like meeting, standup, or RFC notes) are included in the list output too.
+
 ---
 
 ## patterns
diff --git a/packaging/homebrew/README.md b/packaging/homebrew/README.md
index d09763f..e8ea2b2 100644
--- a/packaging/homebrew/README.md
+++ b/packaging/homebrew/README.md
@@ -126,6 +126,8 @@ You’ll see a simple timeline:
 This is not a feed.
 It’s a mirror.
 
+Template notes created in the current directory (like meeting, standup, or RFC notes) are included in the list output too.
+
 ---
 
 ## patterns
diff --git a/packaging/npm/README.md b/packaging/npm/README.md
index d09763f..e8ea2b2 100644
--- a/packaging/npm/README.md
+++ b/packaging/npm/README.md
@@ -126,6 +126,8 @@ You’ll see a simple timeline:
 This is not a feed.
 It’s a mirror.
 
+Template notes created in the current directory (like meeting, standup, or RFC notes) are included in the list output too.
+
 ---
 
 ## patterns