# Description templatesDescription templates allow you to define context-specific templates for issue and merge request description fields for your project. When in use, users that create a new issue or merge request can select a description template to help them communicate with other contributors effectively.Every GitLab project can define its own set of description templates as they are added to the root directory of a GitLab project's repository.Description templates are written in markdown _(`.md`)_ and stored in your projects repository under the `/.gitlab/issue_templates/` and `/.gitlab/merge_request_templates/` directories.![Description templates](img/description_templates.png)_Example:_`/.gitlab/issue_templates/bug.md` will enable the `bug` dropdown option for new issues. When `bug` is selected, the content from the `bug.md` template file will be copied to the issue description field.