> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wplake.gitbook.io/advanced-views/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wplake.gitbook.io/advanced-views/features/smart-templates/blade-templates.md).

# Smart Blade templates

In Advanced Views, *Layout* and *Post Selection* templates support [Blade](https://laravel.com/docs/11.x/blade) as a template engine.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Important: Blade requires PHP 8.2.0 or later. \
You should continue using vanilla PHP or Twig if you can't change the PHP version of your website for any reason.
{% endhint %}

## 1. Usage

Using Blade over Twig is a good idea if you're a seasoned PHP developer, as Blade, unlike Twig, is closer to PHP and allows you to call any PHP (and WordPress) functions directly within the template. 

For example, you can call a [WordPress translate ('\_\_') function](https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/__/) for any string like this:

```twig
{{ __("string", "domain") }}
```

Keep in mind that the output is escaped, so if you need to print a variable with HTML, you need to define a raw output by replacing the curly brackets with exclamation marks, like this:

```twig
{!! $my_var !!}
```

You can read more about Blade in the [official docs](https://laravel.com/docs/11.x/blade).

## 2. Blade version

Currently, Advanced Views uses version 11.7.0 of the `illuminate/view` package.