Proposal for (partial) template includes

gistfile1.json5

{  
  include_template: "a",  // <-- full template, used as a base 
  is_video: {  
    use: ":original",
    robot: "/file/filter",
    accepts: [  
      [  
        "${file.mime}",
        "regex",
        "video"
      ],
    ],
    error_on_decline:false
  },
  is_image: {  
    use: ":original",
    robot: "/file/filter",
    accepts: [  
      [  
        "${file.mime}",
        "regex",
        "image",
      ],
    ],
    error_on_decline: false
  },
  include_template_partial: "c.video_encode", // <-- include just 1 named step
  video_encode: {
    use: "is_video", // <-- override its `use` parameter to connect the chain
  },
  include_template_partial: "c.image_resize",
  image_resize: {
    use: "is_image",
  },
  store: { // <-- was already inside template "a"
    // <-- override its `use` parameter to connect the chain
    use: ["video_encode", "image_resize", ":original"],
  },
}

I had a similar idea last week but it's basically not THAT similar https://gist.github.com/Prinzhorn/8af8b7f56d72431f9945552bca06f962
I just want to keep things DRY and think that would be something that can be added really easily. Basically with the exact same logic that we already have when sending steps along with the upload (it's just a matter of merging those objects).

To be honest looking at the json in this gist it's not obvious to me what it's supposed to do. I get the idea that having public templates would be beneficial for everyone, but then the templates on transloadit are not self contained any more and I need to do a shitton of work in my head to put everything together. You wouldn't be able to understand the template just by looking at it.

@Prinzhorn I see where the two diverge now, your approach is interesting and easier to add indeed. I'll discuss with the team if I'm not overlooking anything.