# Syntax

URL: /bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/
Section: syntax
Description: Kida template syntax reference

---

> For a complete page index, fetch /bengal/llms.txt.

Kida extends Jinja2 with pattern matching, pipeline operators, and unified block endings. Your existing Jinja2 templates work without changes—Kida parses both syntaxes.

## Quick Reference

Feature
Kida
Jinja2

Block endings
`{% end %}`
`{% endif %}`, `{% endfor %}`, etc.

Template variables
`{% let x = ... %}`
`{% set x = ... %}`

Pattern matching
`{% match %}...{% case %}`
`{% if %}...{% elif %}`

While loops
`{% while cond %}`
Not available

Pipeline operator
`|>`
Not available

Optional chaining
`?.`
Not available

Null coalescing
`??`
`| default()`

Fragment caching
`{% cache %}`
Extension required

Functions
`{% def %}`(sees outer variables)
`{% def %}`(isolated)

Range literals
`1..10`
`range(1, 11)`

## Topics

Block Syntax

Control flow blocks, endings, and pattern matching

(/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/blocks/)

Variables and Scoping

Template variables, scoping rules, and exports

(/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/variables/)

Operators

Pipeline, optional chaining, and null coalescing operators

(/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/operators/)

Functions

Reusable template components that automatically access outer variables

(/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/functions/)

Seealso

- Kida Syntax Reference (/bengal/docs/reference/kida-syntax/) — Complete syntax documentation

- Template Functions (/bengal/docs/reference/template-functions/) — Available filters and functions

## In This Section

Block Syntax (/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/blocks/)

Control flow blocks, endings, and pattern matching

Functions (/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/functions/)

Reusable template components that automatically access outer variables

Operators (/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/operators/)

Pipeline, optional chaining, and null coalescing operators

Variables and Scoping (/bengal/docs/0.4.3/theming/templating/kida/syntax/variables/)

Template variables, scoping rules, and exports