diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/_index.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/_index.md
index 92adf7a65807..f81f3bc28f8a 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/_index.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/_index.md
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ All function invocations take the form of an object with a single key that names
 ## Functions
 
 - [`fn::concat`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-concat)
+- [`fn::eval`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-eval)
 - [`fn::final`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-final)
 - [`fn::fromBase64`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-base64)
 - [`fn::fromJSON`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-json)
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ All function invocations take the form of an object with a single key that names
 - [`fn::rotate`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-rotate)
 - [`fn::secret`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-secret)
 - [`fn::split`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-split)
+- [`fn::template`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-template)
 - [`fn::toBase64`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-base64)
 - [`fn::toJSON`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-json)
 - [`fn::toString`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-string)
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-eval.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-eval.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..06f7a51b4829
--- /dev/null
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-eval.md
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+---
+title: fn::eval
+title_tag: fn::eval
+h1: fn::eval
+meta_desc: The fn::eval built-in function evaluates a template expression in the context of the current environment.
+menu:
+  esc:
+    parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
+    identifier: esc-syntax-fn-eval
+    weight: 2
+---
+
+The `fn::eval` built-in function evaluates a [template expression](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-template/) in the context of the current environment. Together with `fn::template`, it enables late binding — the ability to define reusable expressions in one environment and evaluate them with different values in another.
+
+## Declaration
+
+```yaml
+fn::eval: template-reference
+```
+
+### Parameters
+
+| Property             | Type | Description                                                                                              |
+|----------------------|------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| `template-reference` | any  | A reference to a value defined with `fn::template`. Typically an interpolation like `${environments.org.defn.my-template}`. |
+
+### Returns
+
+The result of evaluating the referenced template in the context of the calling environment. The template's interpolations are resolved using the values available in the environment where `fn::eval` is called, not where the template is defined.
+
+## Example
+
+### Reusable greeting template
+
+This example shows how to define a template in one environment and evaluate it in multiple environments with different values.
+
+#### Template environment (example/defn)
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  hello:
+    fn::template: Hello ${name}!
+```
+
+The `fn::template` expression defines a template that references `${name}`. The interpolation is not resolved in this environment — it is deferred until a consumer evaluates it with `fn::eval`.
+
+#### Consumer environment A (example/a)
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  name: "foo"
+  example:
+    fn::eval: ${environments.example.defn.hello}
+```
+
+#### Consumer environment B (example/b)
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  name: "bar"
+  example:
+    fn::eval: ${environments.example.defn.hello}
+```
+
+#### Parent environment
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  a: ${environments.example.a}
+  b: ${environments.example.b}
+```
+
+#### Evaluated result
+
+```json
+{
+  "a": {
+    "example": "Hello foo!",
+    "name": "foo"
+  },
+  "b": {
+    "example": "Hello bar!",
+    "name": "bar"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Environment A resolves the template with `name: "foo"`, producing `"Hello foo!"`. Environment B resolves the same template with `name: "bar"`, producing `"Hello bar!"`.
+
+## Related functions
+
+- [`fn::template`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-template/) — defines a template expression for deferred evaluation.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-final.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-final.md
index 6229f745511c..ee9fc1d64726 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-final.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-final.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-final
-    weight: 2
+    weight: 3
 ---
 
 The `fn::final` built-in function marks a value as final, preventing child environments from overriding it. If a child environment attempts to override a final value, the value is not overridden and a validation warning is raised.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-base64.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-base64.md
index 6c8e218e4c95..83f8374db94f 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-base64.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-base64.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-from-base64
-    weight: 3
+    weight: 4
 ---
 
 The `fn::fromBase64` built-in function decodes its input into a binary value. This can be used to realize binary values that are stored as Base64-encoded (often for use with the [`files` reserved property](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/reserved-properties/files). If the input to `fn::fromBase64` is a secret, the decoded value is also a secret.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-json.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-json.md
index e460b62099a7..397f4a77748b 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-json.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-from-json.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-from-json
-    weight: 4
+    weight: 5
 ---
 
 The `fn::fromJSON` built-in function decodes a value from its JSON representation. This can be used to expand JSON values that are stored as scalar strings into complex values. If the input to `fn::fromJSON` is a secret, all of the decoded values are also secrets.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-join.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-join.md
index 2bbcd6700c8c..fb7583f80f54 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-join.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-join.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-join
-    weight: 5
+    weight: 6
 ---
 
 The `fn::join` built-in function joins the elements of a list of strings using a given delimiter. If any input to `fn::join` is a secret, the result is also a secret.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-open.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-open.md
index a48656203081..c1c7d645b38c 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-open.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-open.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-open
-    weight: 6
+    weight: 7
 ---
 
 The `fn::open` built-in function invokes a [provider](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/providers/) to fetch values from outside of ESC.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-rotate.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-rotate.md
index d0ea175a6e00..b0957eecb901 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-rotate.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-rotate.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-rotate
-    weight: 7
+    weight: 8
 ---
 
 The `fn::rotate` built-in function invokes a [rotator](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/rotators) to rotate secrets.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-secret.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-secret.md
index 3a8f86f877d5..c3842ebef352 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-secret.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-secret.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-secret
-    weight: 8
+    weight: 9
 ---
 
 The `fn::secret` built-in function decrypts a ciphertext literal into a secret string value.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-split.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-split.md
index 29e1288ddfd2..7fd92ac8c912 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-split.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-split.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-split
-    weight: 9
+    weight: 10
 ---
 
 The `fn::split` built-in function splits a string into a list of strings using a given delimiter. If any input to `fn::split` is a secret, the result is also a secret.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-template.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-template.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..85d22bf92298
--- /dev/null
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+---
+title: fn::template
+title_tag: fn::template
+h1: fn::template
+meta_desc: The fn::template built-in function defines a template expression with deferred evaluation for use with fn::eval.
+menu:
+  esc:
+    parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
+    identifier: esc-syntax-fn-template
+    weight: 11
+---
+
+The `fn::template` built-in function defines a template expression whose interpolations are not resolved immediately. Instead, the template is evaluated later when a consumer environment references it with [`fn::eval`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-eval/). This enables late binding — defining reusable expressions in one environment and evaluating them with different values in another.
+
+## Declaration
+
+```yaml
+fn::template: expression
+```
+
+### Parameters
+
+| Property     | Type   | Description                                                                                       |
+|--------------|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| `expression` | any    | An expression containing interpolations (e.g., `Hello ${name}!`). The interpolations are not resolved in the defining environment — they are deferred until evaluation with `fn::eval`. |
+
+### Returns
+
+A template value that can be referenced by other environments. The template is not evaluated in the defining environment. It produces a result only when consumed via `fn::eval`.
+
+## Example
+
+### Defining a reusable template
+
+#### Template environment (example/defn)
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  hello:
+    fn::template: Hello ${name}!
+```
+
+This defines a template that references `${name}`. The value of `name` is determined by the environment that evaluates the template.
+
+#### Consumer environment (example/a)
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  name: "foo"
+  example:
+    fn::eval: ${environments.example.defn.hello}
+```
+
+#### Evaluated result
+
+```json
+{
+  "example": "Hello foo!",
+  "name": "foo"
+}
+```
+
+The template resolves `${name}` to `"foo"` because that is the value of `name` in the consumer environment.
+
+### Using templates for standardized configuration
+
+Templates are useful for enforcing consistent patterns across environments. For example, you can define a naming convention template and have all environments evaluate it with their own values:
+
+#### Template environment (org/templates)
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  resource-name:
+    fn::template: ${project}-${environment}-${region}
+```
+
+#### Consumer environment (org/prod-us)
+
+```yaml
+values:
+  project: "myapp"
+  environment: "prod"
+  region: "us-east-1"
+  name:
+    fn::eval: ${environments.org.templates.resource-name}
+```
+
+#### Evaluated result
+
+```json
+{
+  "project": "myapp",
+  "environment": "prod",
+  "region": "us-east-1",
+  "name": "myapp-prod-us-east-1"
+}
+```
+
+## Related functions
+
+- [`fn::eval`](/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-eval/) — evaluates a template expression in the context of the current environment.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-base64.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-base64.md
index fadcd1dc672f..63508ad99477 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-base64.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-base64.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-toBase64
-    weight: 10
+    weight: 12
 ---
 
 The `fn::toBase64` built-in function encodes a binary value using Base64. If the input to `fn::toBase64` is a secret, the encoded value is also a secret.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-json.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-json.md
index 1d53994ab9c8..40ed50cfdcda 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-json.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-json.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-toJSON
-    weight: 11
+    weight: 13
 ---
 
 The `fn::toJSON` built-in function encodes a value as its JSON representation. This can be used to encode values for use in positions that only accept strings. If any input to `fn::toJSON` is a secret, the encoded values is also a secret.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-string.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-string.md
index 438f7ec7ede0..064f8dda624b 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-string.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-to-string.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-toString
-    weight: 12
+    weight: 14
 ---
 
 The `fn::toString` built-in function encodes a value as its string representation. This can be used to encode values for use in positions that only accept strings. If any input to `fn::toString` is a secret, the encoded values is also a secret.
diff --git a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-validate.md b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-validate.md
index 6a48fca9d7e5..c370d284d419 100644
--- a/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-validate.md
+++ b/content/docs/esc/environments/syntax/builtin-functions/fn-validate.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ menu:
   esc:
     parent: esc-syntax-builtin-functions
     identifier: esc-syntax-fn-validate
-    weight: 13
+    weight: 15
 ---
 
 The `fn::validate` built-in function validates a value against a JSON Schema. If the value does not conform to the schema, a validation error is raised and the environment cannot be saved until the issues are resolved.