# Shared Files The `shared` folder lives inside the `components/` directory and provides a central location for assets and templates that are used by multiple components in your element pack. This eliminates duplication when several components need access to the same JavaScript libraries, stylesheets, or other resources. ## When to Use Shared Files Use shared files when: * Multiple components in your pack depend on the same JavaScript library (e.g., Alpine.js, GSAP) * You need global CSS fixes or styles that apply across components * Components share common images, fonts, or other media assets * You want to inject initialization scripts or configuration once per page ## Folder Structure ``` MyElementPack.elementsdevpack/ components/ shared/ assets/ # Shared assets (JS, CSS, images, fonts, etc.) images/ # Subdirectories supported for organization templates/ # HTML/PHP templates injected into pages headStart/ # Injected at start of headEnd/ # Injected at end of bodyStart/ # Injected at start of bodyEnd/ # Injected at end of ``` ## Single Inclusion Behavior Shared files are only included **once per page**, regardless of how many components from your pack are added. This ensures libraries and styles are not duplicated and allows you to safely include dependencies that multiple components rely on. ## Learn More * [Assets](/elements-docs/elements-language/component/shared-files/assets.md) - Store JavaScript, CSS, images, fonts, and other files * [Templates](/elements-docs/elements-language/component/shared-files/templates.md) - Inject HTML or PHP at specific locations in the page --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/elements-docs/elements-language/component/shared-files.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.