Create and preview SES email templates with Handlebars variables.
Last verified: May 2026
Create and preview SES email templates with Handlebars variables.
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TemplateNameSubjectPartHtmlPartTextPartOutput will appear here...The SES Email Template Builder helps you create Amazon Simple Email Service email templates with HTML content, subject lines, and template variables. SES templates support Handlebars-style personalization tags for dynamic content like recipient names, order details, and custom links. This tool provides a visual editor with live preview, template variable management, and export to the SES-compatible JSON format for use with the SendTemplatedEmail API.
SES templates use Handlebars-style syntax with double curly braces, like {{name}} for simple variables. SES also supports conditionals with {{#if}} blocks and iteration with {{#each}} blocks for rendering lists of items in your emails.
The preview shows how your template renders in a modern browser, which approximates most email clients. However, email clients like Outlook, Gmail, and Apple Mail each have rendering quirks. For pixel-perfect testing, use a dedicated email testing service like Litmus or Email on Acid.
Your team needs to migrate 25 transactional email templates from SendGrid to SES for cost reasons. Each template has dynamic content (order details, recipient name, conditional sections for premium users). The builder helps you rebuild each template with Handlebars syntax matching SES's format, runs preview against sample data, and exports SES-compatible JSON. End-to-end migration: 2 days vs the 1-week estimate when starting from scratch with the SES API. Annual cost savings: $2,400.
The builder provides a WYSIWYG editor for HTML email templates with live preview, supports Handlebars-style variables ({{name}}, {{#if}}, {{#each}}), and validates that all referenced variables are declared. Output is generated as the SES CreateTemplate API JSON payload, ready for `aws ses create-template` or as part of a CDK/Terraform SES template resource.
SES requires sandbox mode by default — you can only send to verified email addresses. Production use requires opening a support case to exit sandbox, which Amazon reviews based on your deliverability practices. Always verify your sender domains with DKIM/SPF before requesting sandbox exit, or the request gets rejected.
Email rendering varies dramatically across clients (Gmail, Outlook desktop, Outlook.com, Apple Mail). The browser preview gets ~80% of cases right but Outlook is famous for breaking modern HTML/CSS. Use a service like Litmus or Email on Acid for serious template testing — your users in Outlook are likely your most valuable, and broken layouts there hurt deliverability and brand.
SES bounce rate >5% triggers automatic account suspension. Always handle bounces via SNS notifications and remove bounced addresses from your send list immediately. The CommandBuilder includes a setupOptions field for configuring bounce/complaint feedback loops on your SES configuration set.
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Disclaimer: This tool runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to our servers. Always verify outputs before using them in production. AWS, Azure, and GCP are trademarks of their respective owners.