From 6911e37c187eafa70643dbb3c70e1a5f571ec19d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Carlos Valente <carlosvalente@pm.me>
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:33:05 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] refactor(automation): improve automation UX

---
 .../automations-panel/AutomationForm.tsx      |  17 +-
 .../automations-panel/OntimeActionForm.tsx    |  30 +-
 .../panel/automations-panel/TriggersList.tsx  |   2 +-
 .../template-input/TemplateInput.module.scss  |  72 +++--
 .../template-input/TemplateInput.tsx          | 283 +++++++++++++++---
 .../__tests__/templateInput.utils.test.ts     |  53 +++-
 .../template-input/templateInput.utils.ts     |  62 +++-
 .../template-input/useTemplateAutocomplete.ts |  72 +++++
 .../__tests__/automation.validation.test.ts   |  19 ++
 .../__tests__/ontime.client.test.ts           | 113 +++++++
 .../api-data/automation/automation.service.ts |   2 +-
 .../automation/automation.validation.ts       |  10 +-
 .../automation/clients/ontime.client.ts       |  26 +-
 .../src/definitions/core/Automation.type.ts   |   2 +-
 14 files changed, 664 insertions(+), 99 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/useTemplateAutocomplete.ts
 create mode 100644 apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/ontime.client.test.ts

diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/AutomationForm.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/AutomationForm.tsx
index 1ce3da620..545a0e94d 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/AutomationForm.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/AutomationForm.tsx
@@ -293,8 +293,9 @@ export default function AutomationForm({ automation, onClose }: AutomationFormPr
         <h3>Outputs</h3>
         <Info>
           Automation outputs can be used to send data from Ontime to external software <br />
-          or to change properties of Ontime itself.
-          <ExternalLink href={integrationsDocsUrl}>See the documentation for templates</ExternalLink>
+          or to change properties of Ontime itself. <br /> <br />
+          Use Ontime runtime data in these fields with template strings. Type {'{{'} to see autocomplete, or{' '}
+          <ExternalLink href={integrationsDocsUrl}>read the docs</ExternalLink>
         </Info>
 
         {fieldOutputs.map((output, index) => {
@@ -341,12 +342,17 @@ export default function AutomationForm({ automation, onClose }: AutomationFormPr
                   </label>
                   <label>
                     Address
-                    <Input {...register(`outputs.${index}.address`)} fluid placeholder='/cue/start' />
+                    <TemplateInput
+                      {...register(`outputs.${index}.address`)}
+                      value={output.address}
+                      fluid
+                      placeholder='/cue/start'
+                    />
                     <Panel.Error>{rowErrors?.address?.message}</Panel.Error>
                   </label>
                   <label>
                     Arguments
-                    <TemplateInput {...register(`outputs.${index}.args`)} value={output.args} placeholder='1' />
+                    <TemplateInput {...register(`outputs.${index}.args`)} value={output.args} fluid placeholder='1' />
                     <Panel.Error>{rowErrors?.args?.message}</Panel.Error>
                   </label>
                   <div>
@@ -376,7 +382,7 @@ export default function AutomationForm({ automation, onClose }: AutomationFormPr
                 <div className={style.httpSection}>
                   <label>
                     Target URL
-                    <Input
+                    <TemplateInput
                       {...register(`outputs.${index}.url`, {
                         required: { value: true, message: 'Required field' },
                         pattern: {
@@ -384,6 +390,7 @@ export default function AutomationForm({ automation, onClose }: AutomationFormPr
                           message: 'HTTP messages should target http:// or https://',
                         },
                       })}
+                      value={output.url}
                       fluid
                       placeholder='http://127.0.0.1/start/1'
                     />
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/OntimeActionForm.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/OntimeActionForm.tsx
index 6eac2eb7c..11f6413b4 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/OntimeActionForm.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/OntimeActionForm.tsx
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { UseFormRegister, UseFormSetValue, UseFormWatch } from 'react-hook-form'
 import Input from '../../../../common/components/input/input/Input';
 import Select from '../../../../common/components/select/Select';
 import * as Panel from '../../panel-utils/PanelUtils';
+import TemplateInput from './template-input/TemplateInput';
 
 import style from './AutomationForm.module.scss';
 
@@ -71,8 +72,8 @@ export default function OntimeActionForm({
             { value: 'playback-pause', label: 'Playback: pause' },
             { value: 'playback-roll', label: 'Playback: roll' },
 
-            { value: 'message-set', label: 'Primary Message: set' },
-            { value: 'message-secondary', label: 'Secondary Message: source' },
+            { value: 'message-set', label: 'Primary Message' },
+            { value: 'message-secondary', label: 'Secondary Message' },
           ]}
         />
         <Panel.Error>{rowErrors?.action?.message}</Panel.Error>
@@ -96,7 +97,12 @@ export default function OntimeActionForm({
         <>
           <label>
             Text (leave empty for no change)
-            <Input {...register(`outputs.${index}.text`)} fluid placeholder='eg: Timer is finished' />
+            <TemplateInput
+              {...register(`outputs.${index}.text`)}
+              value={watch(`outputs.${index}.text`) ?? ''}
+              fluid
+              placeholder='eg: Timer is finished'
+            />
             <Panel.Error>{rowErrors?.text?.message}</Panel.Error>
           </label>
           <label>
@@ -123,15 +129,25 @@ export default function OntimeActionForm({
         <>
           <label>
             Text (leave empty for no change)
-            <Input {...register(`outputs.${index}.text`)} fluid placeholder='eg: Next up: keynote' />
+            <TemplateInput
+              {...register(`outputs.${index}.text`)}
+              value={watch(`outputs.${index}.text`) ?? ''}
+              fluid
+              placeholder='eg: Next up: keynote'
+            />
             <Panel.Error>{rowErrors?.text?.message}</Panel.Error>
           </label>
           <label>
             Timer secondary source
-            <Select<SecondarySource | 'null' | null>
+            <Select<SecondarySource | 'no-change' | 'null' | null>
               onValueChange={(value) => {
                 // null -> no selection
                 if (value === null) return;
+                // no-change -> leave the current secondary source untouched
+                if (value === 'no-change') {
+                  setValue(`outputs.${index}.secondarySource`, undefined, { shouldDirty: true });
+                  return;
+                }
                 // 'null' -> clear the secondary source
                 if (value === 'null') {
                   setValue(`outputs.${index}.secondarySource`, null, { shouldDirty: true });
@@ -139,9 +155,9 @@ export default function OntimeActionForm({
                 }
                 setValue(`outputs.${index}.secondarySource`, value, { shouldDirty: true });
               }}
-              value={watch(`outputs.${index}.secondarySource`)}
+              value={watch(`outputs.${index}.secondarySource`) ?? 'no-change'}
               options={[
-                { value: null, label: 'Select secondary source' },
+                { value: 'no-change', label: 'No change' },
                 { value: 'aux1', label: 'Auxiliary timer 1' },
                 { value: 'aux2', label: 'Auxiliary timer 2' },
                 { value: 'aux3', label: 'Auxiliary timer 3' },
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/TriggersList.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/TriggersList.tsx
index 5fa132a45..2978cdbd9 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/TriggersList.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/TriggersList.tsx
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ export default function TriggersList(props: TriggersListProps) {
           <tbody>
             {!showForm && triggers.length === 0 && (
               <Panel.TableEmpty
-                label='Create an automation to attach triggers to'
+                label='Create a trigger to run an automation'
                 handleClick={canAdd ? () => setShowForm(true) : undefined}
               />
             )}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.module.scss
index ffb5fc2ce..94b28586c 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.module.scss
@@ -1,29 +1,67 @@
-.wrapper {
+.inputShell {
   position: relative;
 }
 
-.suggestions {
-  background: $gray-1250;
-  color: $ui-white;
-
-  position: absolute;
-  top: 100%;
-  left: 0;
+.fluid {
   width: 100%;
-  margin: 0;
-  z-index: $zindex-floating;
-  padding-block: 0.25rem;
+}
 
-  max-height: 200px;
-  overflow-y: auto;
+.input {
+  padding-right: 2rem;
+}
+
+.expandButton {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 50%;
+  right: 0.25rem;
+  transform: translateY(-50%);
+}
+
+.positioner {
+  outline: 0;
+}
+
+.popup {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+  min-width: var(--anchor-width);
+  max-width: var(--available-width);
+  border: 1px solid $gray-1000;
+  border-radius: $component-border-radius-md;
+  background: $gray-1250;
   color: $label-gray;
+}
 
-  li {
-    padding: 0.25rem;
-  }
+.list {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+  max-height: min(20rem, var(--available-height));
+  overflow-y: auto;
+  overscroll-behavior: contain;
+  padding-block: 0.25rem;
+  outline: 0;
+}
 
-  li:hover {
+.item {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+  padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem;
+  outline: 0;
+  cursor: default;
+  user-select: none;
+  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+
+  &[data-highlighted] {
     color: $ui-white;
     background: $blue-700;
   }
 }
+
+.expandedEditor {
+  min-height: min(18rem, 45vh);
+  font-family: monospace;
+  line-height: 1.4;
+}
+
+.footerHint {
+  margin-right: auto;
+  color: $label-gray;
+  font-size: calc(1rem - 2px);
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.tsx
index 7f9bb16c2..d79c29923 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/TemplateInput.tsx
@@ -1,69 +1,258 @@
-import { mergeRefs, useClickOutside } from '@mantine/hooks';
-import { forwardRef, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
+import { Autocomplete as BaseAutocomplete } from '@base-ui/react/autocomplete';
+import type { ChangeEvent, ReactNode, Ref } from 'react';
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { IoExpandOutline } from 'react-icons/io5';
 
-import Input, { type InputProps } from '../../../../../common/components/input/input/Input';
+import Button from '../../../../../common/components/buttons/Button';
+import IconButton from '../../../../../common/components/buttons/IconButton';
+import { type InputProps } from '../../../../../common/components/input/input/Input';
+import Textarea from '../../../../../common/components/input/textarea/Textarea';
+import Modal from '../../../../../common/components/modal/Modal';
 import useCustomFields from '../../../../../common/hooks-query/useCustomFields';
-import { makeAutoCompleteList, matchRemaining, selectFromLastTemplate } from './templateInput.utils';
+import { cx } from '../../../../../common/utils/styleUtils';
+import { makeAutoCompleteList } from './templateInput.utils';
+import { useTemplateAutocomplete } from './useTemplateAutocomplete';
 
+import inputStyle from '../../../../../common/components/input/input/Input.module.scss';
 import style from './TemplateInput.module.scss';
 
-interface TemplateInputProps extends InputProps {}
+interface TemplateInputProps extends Omit<InputProps, 'value'> {
+  ref?: Ref<HTMLInputElement>;
+  value?: string;
+}
 
-const TemplateInput = forwardRef(function TemplateInput(props: TemplateInputProps, ref) {
-  const { value, onChange, ...rest } = props;
+interface TemplateEditorModalProps {
+  autocompleteList: string[];
+  isOpen: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  onSave: (value: string) => void;
+  value: string;
+}
+
+type TemplateAutocompleteState = ReturnType<typeof useTemplateAutocomplete<HTMLInputElement>>;
+
+interface TemplateAutocompleteRootProps {
+  autocomplete: TemplateAutocompleteState;
+  children: ReactNode;
+  value: string;
+}
+
+function assignRef<T>(ref: Ref<T> | undefined, value: T | null) {
+  if (typeof ref === 'function') {
+    ref(value);
+  } else if (ref) {
+    ref.current = value;
+  }
+}
+
+function emitInputChange(name: string | undefined, value: string, onChange: InputProps['onChange']) {
+  onChange?.({
+    target: { name, value },
+    currentTarget: { name, value },
+  } as ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>);
+}
+
+export default function TemplateInput({
+  className,
+  disabled,
+  fluid,
+  height = 'medium',
+  onChange,
+  readOnly,
+  ref,
+  value,
+  variant = 'subtle',
+  ...rest
+}: TemplateInputProps) {
   const { data } = useCustomFields();
-  const localRef = useClickOutside(() => setShowSuggestions(false));
+  const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement | null>(null);
+  const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState(value || '');
+  const [isExpanded, setIsExpanded] = useState(false);
 
   const autocompleteList = useMemo(() => {
     return makeAutoCompleteList(data);
   }, [data]);
 
-  const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState(value || '');
-  const [suggestions, setSuggestions] = useState<string[]>([]);
-  const [showSuggestions, setShowSuggestions] = useState(false);
+  const updateInputValue = useCallback(
+    (nextValue: string) => {
+      setInputValue(nextValue);
+      emitInputChange(rest.name, nextValue, onChange);
+    },
+    [onChange, rest.name],
+  );
 
-  const updateSuggestions = (value: string) => {
-    const template = selectFromLastTemplate(value);
-    return autocompleteList.filter((suggestion) => suggestion.startsWith(template));
+  const autocomplete = useTemplateAutocomplete(inputValue, autocompleteList, inputRef, updateInputValue);
+  const { setCursorForValue } = autocomplete;
+
+  // Keep the local autocomplete input in sync when react-hook-form resets or swaps field-array values.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const nextValue = value || '';
+    setInputValue(nextValue);
+    setCursorForValue(nextValue, nextValue.length);
+  }, [setCursorForValue, value]);
+
+  const setInputRef = useCallback(
+    (element: HTMLInputElement | null) => {
+      inputRef.current = element;
+      assignRef(ref, element);
+    },
+    [ref],
+  );
+
+  const openExpandedEditor = () => {
+    autocomplete.setShowSuggestions(false);
+    setIsExpanded(true);
   };
 
-  const handleInputChange = (event: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    setInputValue(event.target.value);
-
-    if (event.target.value.endsWith('{')) {
-      setShowSuggestions(true);
-      setSuggestions(updateSuggestions(event.target.value));
-    } else if (event.target.value === '' || event.target.value.endsWith('}}')) {
-      setShowSuggestions(false);
-    } else if (showSuggestions) {
-      setSuggestions(updateSuggestions(event.target.value));
-    }
-
-    onChange?.(event);
+  const closeExpandedEditor = () => {
+    setIsExpanded(false);
   };
 
-  const handleSuggestion = (value: string) => {
-    setInputValue((prev) => {
-      const remaining = matchRemaining(prev as string, value);
-      return prev + remaining;
-    });
-    setShowSuggestions(false);
+  const saveExpandedEditor = (nextValue: string) => {
+    updateInputValue(nextValue);
+    autocomplete.setCursorForValue(nextValue, nextValue.length);
+    setIsExpanded(false);
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className={style.wrapper} ref={mergeRefs(localRef, ref)}>
-      <Input value={inputValue} {...rest} onChange={handleInputChange} fluid />
-      {showSuggestions && suggestions.length > 0 && (
-        <ul className={style.suggestions}>
-          {suggestions.map((suggestion) => (
-            <li key={suggestion} onClick={() => handleSuggestion(suggestion)}>
-              {suggestion}
-            </li>
-          ))}
-        </ul>
-      )}
-    </div>
+    <>
+      <TemplateAutocompleteRoot autocomplete={autocomplete} value={inputValue}>
+        <div className={cx([style.inputShell, fluid && style.fluid])}>
+          <BaseAutocomplete.Input
+            ref={setInputRef}
+            className={cx([
+              inputStyle.input,
+              inputStyle[variant],
+              inputStyle[height],
+              fluid && inputStyle.fluid,
+              style.input,
+              className,
+            ])}
+            {...rest}
+            disabled={disabled}
+            onClick={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            onFocus={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            onKeyUp={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            onSelect={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            readOnly={readOnly}
+          />
+          <IconButton
+            aria-label='Expand template editor'
+            className={style.expandButton}
+            disabled={disabled || readOnly}
+            onClick={openExpandedEditor}
+            size='small'
+            title='Expand template editor'
+            variant='ghosted-white'
+          >
+            <IoExpandOutline />
+          </IconButton>
+        </div>
+      </TemplateAutocompleteRoot>
+      <TemplateEditorModal
+        autocompleteList={autocompleteList}
+        isOpen={isExpanded}
+        onClose={closeExpandedEditor}
+        onSave={saveExpandedEditor}
+        value={inputValue}
+      />
+    </>
   );
-});
+}
 
-export default TemplateInput;
+function TemplateAutocompleteRoot({ autocomplete, children, value }: TemplateAutocompleteRootProps) {
+  return (
+    <BaseAutocomplete.Root
+      items={autocomplete.suggestions}
+      autoHighlight
+      highlightItemOnHover
+      mode='none'
+      open={autocomplete.open}
+      value={value}
+      onOpenChange={autocomplete.setShowSuggestions}
+      onValueChange={autocomplete.handleValueChange}
+    >
+      {children}
+      <TemplateSuggestionPopup />
+    </BaseAutocomplete.Root>
+  );
+}
+
+function TemplateEditorModal({ autocompleteList, isOpen, onClose, onSave, value }: TemplateEditorModalProps) {
+  const expandedInputRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement | null>(null);
+  const [draftValue, setDraftValue] = useState(value);
+  const autocomplete = useTemplateAutocomplete(draftValue, autocompleteList, expandedInputRef, setDraftValue);
+  const { setShowSuggestions } = autocomplete;
+
+  // Reset the draft whenever the modal opens so cancel never leaks unsaved changes.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isOpen) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setDraftValue(value);
+    setShowSuggestions(false);
+  }, [isOpen, setShowSuggestions, value]);
+
+  const handleClose = () => {
+    setShowSuggestions(false);
+    onClose();
+  };
+
+  const handleSave = () => {
+    setShowSuggestions(false);
+    onSave(draftValue);
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Modal
+      isOpen={isOpen}
+      onClose={handleClose}
+      showBackdrop
+      showCloseButton
+      title='Edit template'
+      bodyElements={
+        <TemplateAutocompleteRoot autocomplete={autocomplete} value={draftValue}>
+          <BaseAutocomplete.Input
+            autoFocus
+            className={style.expandedEditor}
+            onClick={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            onFocus={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            onKeyUp={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            onSelect={autocomplete.updateCursor}
+            render={<Textarea ref={expandedInputRef} fluid resize='none' rows={8} />}
+          />
+        </TemplateAutocompleteRoot>
+      }
+      footerElements={
+        <>
+          <span className={style.footerHint}>Start a template with {'{{'} to see autocomplete.</span>
+          <Button onClick={handleClose}>Cancel</Button>
+          <Button onClick={handleSave} variant='primary'>
+            Save
+          </Button>
+        </>
+      }
+    />
+  );
+}
+
+function TemplateSuggestionPopup() {
+  return (
+    <BaseAutocomplete.Portal>
+      <BaseAutocomplete.Positioner side='bottom' align='start' className={style.positioner}>
+        <BaseAutocomplete.Popup className={style.popup}>
+          <BaseAutocomplete.List className={style.list}>
+            <BaseAutocomplete.Collection>
+              {(suggestion: string) => (
+                <BaseAutocomplete.Item key={suggestion} value={suggestion} className={style.item}>
+                  {suggestion}
+                </BaseAutocomplete.Item>
+              )}
+            </BaseAutocomplete.Collection>
+          </BaseAutocomplete.List>
+        </BaseAutocomplete.Popup>
+      </BaseAutocomplete.Positioner>
+    </BaseAutocomplete.Portal>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/__tests__/templateInput.utils.test.ts b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/__tests__/templateInput.utils.test.ts
index 3af67c7cd..4d65d7a62 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/__tests__/templateInput.utils.test.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/__tests__/templateInput.utils.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { matchRemaining } from '../templateInput.utils';
+import { completeTemplateAtCursor, matchRemaining, selectActiveTemplate } from '../templateInput.utils';
 
 describe('matchRemaining()', () => {
   it('should return a partial string needed for autocomplete', () => {
@@ -15,3 +15,54 @@ describe('matchRemaining()', () => {
     expect(matchRemaining('test', 'test')).toBe('');
   });
 });
+
+describe('selectActiveTemplate()', () => {
+  it('returns the last unclosed template fragment', () => {
+    expect(selectActiveTemplate('send {{event')).toBe('{{event');
+    expect(selectActiveTemplate('send {{eventNow.title}} and {{event')).toBe('{{event');
+  });
+
+  it('ignores single braces and closed templates', () => {
+    expect(selectActiveTemplate('send {')).toBe('');
+    expect(selectActiveTemplate('send {{eventNow.title}}')).toBe('');
+  });
+
+  it('only considers templates before the cursor', () => {
+    expect(selectActiveTemplate('send {{event}} then {{timer', 14)).toBe('');
+    expect(selectActiveTemplate('send {{event}} then {{timer', 27)).toBe('{{timer');
+  });
+
+  it('selects a partial template when the cursor is inside a completed template', () => {
+    expect(selectActiveTemplate('send {{timer.current}} after', 12)).toBe('{{timer');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('completeTemplateAtCursor()', () => {
+  it('completes the active template before the cursor', () => {
+    expect(completeTemplateAtCursor('send {{timer after', '{{timer.current}}', 12)).toEqual({
+      value: 'send {{timer.current}} after',
+      cursorIndex: 22,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('preserves text before and after the cursor', () => {
+    expect(completeTemplateAtCursor('before {{event after', '{{eventNow.title}}', 14)).toEqual({
+      value: 'before {{eventNow.title}} after',
+      cursorIndex: 25,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('preserves a following template when completing between templates', () => {
+    expect(completeTemplateAtCursor('{{clock}} and {{timer then {{eventNow.title}}', '{{timer.current}}', 21)).toEqual({
+      value: '{{clock}} and {{timer.current}} then {{eventNow.title}}',
+      cursorIndex: 31,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('replaces the whole template when the cursor is inside a completed template', () => {
+    expect(completeTemplateAtCursor('before {{timer.current}} after', '{{timer.duration}}', 15)).toEqual({
+      value: 'before {{timer.duration}} after',
+      cursorIndex: 25,
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/templateInput.utils.ts b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/templateInput.utils.ts
index 51fa7a7b4..86887fe8b 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/templateInput.utils.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/templateInput.utils.ts
@@ -93,6 +93,11 @@ export function makeAutoCompleteList(customFields: CustomFields): string[] {
   ];
 }
 
+interface TemplateCompletion {
+  cursorIndex: number;
+  value: string;
+}
+
 /**
  * Returns the partial string b needed to autocomplete string a
  * @example matchRemaining('te', 'test') -> 'st'
@@ -123,13 +128,54 @@ export function matchRemaining(a: string, b: string) {
   return '';
 }
 
-/**
- * Selects the last starting template in a string
- */
-export function selectFromLastTemplate(text: string) {
-  const lastBraceIndex = text.lastIndexOf('{{');
-  if (lastBraceIndex !== -1) {
-    return text.slice(lastBraceIndex);
+function getActiveTemplateRange(text: string, cursorIndex = text.length) {
+  const textBeforeCursor = text.slice(0, cursorIndex);
+  const start = textBeforeCursor.lastIndexOf('{{');
+  if (start === -1) {
+    return null;
   }
-  return '';
+
+  const closeBeforeCursor = textBeforeCursor.lastIndexOf('}}');
+  if (closeBeforeCursor > start) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const closeAfterStart = text.indexOf('}}', start);
+  const nextStartAfterCursor = text.indexOf('{{', cursorIndex);
+  const closesBeforeNextTemplate = nextStartAfterCursor === -1 || closeAfterStart < nextStartAfterCursor;
+  const end = closeAfterStart !== -1 && closesBeforeNextTemplate ? closeAfterStart + 2 : cursorIndex;
+
+  return {
+    end,
+    start,
+    template: text.slice(start, cursorIndex),
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Selects the last unclosed starting template before the cursor.
+ */
+export function selectActiveTemplate(text: string, cursorIndex = text.length) {
+  return getActiveTemplateRange(text, cursorIndex)?.template ?? '';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Replaces the active template fragment before the cursor with the selected suggestion.
+ */
+export function completeTemplateAtCursor(
+  text: string,
+  suggestion: string,
+  cursorIndex = text.length,
+): TemplateCompletion {
+  const activeTemplateRange = getActiveTemplateRange(text, cursorIndex);
+  if (!activeTemplateRange) {
+    const value = text + matchRemaining(text, suggestion);
+    return { value, cursorIndex: value.length };
+  }
+
+  const value = `${text.slice(0, activeTemplateRange.start)}${suggestion}${text.slice(activeTemplateRange.end)}`;
+  return {
+    value,
+    cursorIndex: activeTemplateRange.start + suggestion.length,
+  };
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/useTemplateAutocomplete.ts b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/useTemplateAutocomplete.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..eaea4a31f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/app-settings/panel/automations-panel/template-input/useTemplateAutocomplete.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+import { Autocomplete as BaseAutocomplete } from '@base-ui/react/autocomplete';
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useState, type RefObject } from 'react';
+
+import { completeTemplateAtCursor, selectActiveTemplate } from './templateInput.utils';
+
+type TemplateElement = HTMLInputElement | HTMLTextAreaElement;
+
+function getCursorIndex(element: TemplateElement | null, fallback: string) {
+  return element?.selectionStart ?? fallback.length;
+}
+
+function focusCursor(element: TemplateElement | null, cursorIndex: number) {
+  requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+    element?.focus();
+    element?.setSelectionRange(cursorIndex, cursorIndex);
+  });
+}
+
+export function useTemplateAutocomplete<T extends TemplateElement>(
+  value: string,
+  autocompleteList: string[],
+  elementRef: RefObject<T | null>,
+  onValueChange: (value: string) => void,
+) {
+  const [showSuggestions, setShowSuggestions] = useState(false);
+  const [cursor, setCursor] = useState(value.length);
+
+  const activeTemplate = selectActiveTemplate(value, cursor);
+  const suggestions = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!activeTemplate) {
+      return [];
+    }
+    return autocompleteList.filter((suggestion) => suggestion.startsWith(activeTemplate));
+  }, [activeTemplate, autocompleteList]);
+
+  const setCursorForValue = useCallback((nextValue: string, cursorIndex: number) => {
+    setCursor(cursorIndex);
+    setShowSuggestions(Boolean(selectActiveTemplate(nextValue, cursorIndex)));
+  }, []);
+
+  const updateCursor = useCallback(() => {
+    const cursorIndex = getCursorIndex(elementRef.current, value);
+    setCursorForValue(value, cursorIndex);
+  }, [elementRef, setCursorForValue, value]);
+
+  const handleValueChange = useCallback(
+    (nextValue: string, eventDetails: BaseAutocomplete.Root.ChangeEventDetails) => {
+      if (eventDetails.reason === 'item-press') {
+        eventDetails.cancel();
+        const completed = completeTemplateAtCursor(value, nextValue, cursor);
+        setCursorForValue(completed.value, completed.cursorIndex);
+        onValueChange(completed.value);
+        focusCursor(elementRef.current, completed.cursorIndex);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const cursorIndex = getCursorIndex(elementRef.current, nextValue);
+      setCursorForValue(nextValue, cursorIndex);
+      onValueChange(nextValue);
+    },
+    [cursor, elementRef, onValueChange, setCursorForValue, value],
+  );
+
+  return {
+    handleValueChange,
+    open: showSuggestions && suggestions.length > 0,
+    setCursorForValue,
+    setShowSuggestions,
+    suggestions,
+    updateCursor,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/automation.validation.test.ts b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/automation.validation.test.ts
index 6519cf548..a5e02c9bd 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/automation.validation.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/automation.validation.test.ts
@@ -165,6 +165,25 @@ describe('parseOutput', () => {
     });
 
     it('parses message-secondary with a text value', () => {
+      expect(
+        parseOutput({
+          type: 'ontime',
+          action: 'message-secondary',
+          text: 'hello',
+        }),
+      ).toMatchObject({
+        text: 'hello',
+      });
+      expect(
+        parseOutput({
+          type: 'ontime',
+          action: 'message-secondary',
+          secondarySource: undefined,
+          text: 'hello',
+        }),
+      ).toMatchObject({
+        text: 'hello',
+      });
       expect(
         parseOutput({
           type: 'ontime',
diff --git a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/ontime.client.test.ts b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/ontime.client.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a767b83dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/__tests__/ontime.client.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+import { runtimeStorePlaceholder } from 'ontime-types';
+
+import * as messageService from '../../../services/message-service/message.service.js';
+import { toOntimeAction } from '../clients/ontime.client.js';
+
+vi.mock('../../../services/message-service/message.service.js', () => ({
+  patch: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+describe('toOntimeAction()', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  it('parses templates in primary message text', () => {
+    toOntimeAction(
+      {
+        type: 'ontime',
+        action: 'message-set',
+        text: 'Current: {{timer.current}}',
+        visible: true,
+      },
+      {
+        ...runtimeStorePlaceholder,
+        timer: {
+          ...runtimeStorePlaceholder.timer,
+          current: 42,
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(messageService.patch).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      timer: {
+        text: 'Current: 42',
+        visible: true,
+      },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('parses templates in secondary message text', () => {
+    toOntimeAction(
+      {
+        type: 'ontime',
+        action: 'message-secondary',
+        secondarySource: 'secondary',
+        text: 'Next: {{eventNext.title}}',
+      },
+      {
+        ...runtimeStorePlaceholder,
+        eventNext: {
+          id: 'next-event',
+          type: 'event',
+          cue: '2',
+          title: 'Keynote',
+          note: '',
+          timeStart: 0,
+          timeEnd: 0,
+          duration: 0,
+          timerType: 'count-down',
+          colour: '',
+          delay: 0,
+          isPublic: true,
+          skip: false,
+          endAction: 'none',
+          revision: 0,
+          custom: {},
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(messageService.patch).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      timer: {
+        secondarySource: 'secondary',
+      },
+      secondary: 'Next: Keynote',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('can set secondary message text without changing the secondary source', () => {
+    toOntimeAction(
+      {
+        type: 'ontime',
+        action: 'message-secondary',
+        text: 'Next: {{eventNext.title}}',
+      },
+      {
+        ...runtimeStorePlaceholder,
+        eventNext: {
+          id: 'next-event',
+          type: 'event',
+          cue: '2',
+          title: 'Keynote',
+          note: '',
+          timeStart: 0,
+          timeEnd: 0,
+          duration: 0,
+          timerType: 'count-down',
+          colour: '',
+          delay: 0,
+          isPublic: true,
+          skip: false,
+          endAction: 'none',
+          revision: 0,
+          custom: {},
+        },
+      },
+    );
+
+    expect(messageService.patch).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      secondary: 'Next: Keynote',
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.service.ts b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.service.ts
index 77efa24da..d2376bf5c 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.service.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.service.ts
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ function send(output: AutomationOutput[], store: RuntimeStore) {
     } else if (isHTTPOutput(payload)) {
       emitHTTP(payload, store);
     } else if (isOntimeAction(payload)) {
-      toOntimeAction(payload);
+      toOntimeAction(payload, store);
     } else {
       logger.warning(LogOrigin.Tx, `Unknown output type: ${payload}`);
     }
diff --git a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.validation.ts b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.validation.ts
index 26f03252a..4295d3aed 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.validation.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/automation.validation.ts
@@ -225,8 +225,6 @@ function parseOntimeAction(maybeOntimeAction: object): OntimeAction {
   }
 
   if (maybeOntimeAction.action === 'message-secondary') {
-    assert.hasKeys(maybeOntimeAction, ['secondarySource']);
-
     // the secondary text is optional, an empty string is treated as no change
     let text: string | undefined = undefined;
     if ('text' in maybeOntimeAction) {
@@ -234,6 +232,14 @@ function parseOntimeAction(maybeOntimeAction: object): OntimeAction {
       text = indeterminateText(maybeOntimeAction.text);
     }
 
+    if (!('secondarySource' in maybeOntimeAction) || maybeOntimeAction.secondarySource === undefined) {
+      return {
+        type: 'ontime',
+        action: 'message-secondary',
+        text,
+      };
+    }
+
     // null is used to clear the secondary source
     if (maybeOntimeAction.secondarySource === null) {
       return {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/clients/ontime.client.ts b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/clients/ontime.client.ts
index 4c706cb46..e972f122a 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/clients/ontime.client.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/api-data/automation/clients/ontime.client.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
-import { LogOrigin, OntimeAction } from 'ontime-types';
+import { LogOrigin, OntimeAction, RuntimeStore } from 'ontime-types';
 import { parseUserTime } from 'ontime-utils';
+import { DeepReadonly } from 'ts-essentials';
 
 import { logger } from '../../../classes/Logger.js';
 import { auxTimerService } from '../../../services/aux-timer-service/AuxTimerService.js';
 import * as messageService from '../../../services/message-service/message.service.js';
 import { runtimeService } from '../../../services/runtime-service/runtime.service.js';
+import { parseTemplateNested } from '../automation.utils.js';
 
-export function toOntimeAction(action: OntimeAction) {
+export function toOntimeAction(action: OntimeAction, store: DeepReadonly<RuntimeStore>) {
   const actionType = action.action;
   switch (actionType) {
     // Aux timer actions
@@ -55,19 +57,25 @@ export function toOntimeAction(action: OntimeAction) {
     case 'message-set': {
       messageService.patch({
         timer: {
-          text: action.text,
+          text: action.text ? parseTemplateNested(action.text, store) : action.text,
           visible: action.visible,
         },
       });
       break;
     }
     case 'message-secondary': {
-      messageService.patch({
-        timer: {
-          secondarySource: action.secondarySource,
-        },
-        secondary: action.text,
-      });
+      const secondary = action.text ? parseTemplateNested(action.text, store) : action.text;
+      const patch =
+        action.secondarySource === undefined
+          ? { secondary }
+          : {
+              timer: {
+                secondarySource: action.secondarySource,
+              },
+              secondary,
+            };
+
+      messageService.patch(patch);
       break;
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/types/src/definitions/core/Automation.type.ts b/packages/types/src/definitions/core/Automation.type.ts
index 7e3382697..c67768b1b 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/definitions/core/Automation.type.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/definitions/core/Automation.type.ts
@@ -114,6 +114,6 @@ export type OntimeAction =
   | {
       type: 'ontime';
       action: OntimeMessageSecondary;
-      secondarySource: SecondarySource;
+      secondarySource?: SecondarySource;
       text?: string;
     };