diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.hpp
index cfaf50c4f6..377d6d1e4f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.hpp
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ namespace MWLua
 
     // Implemented in uibindings.cpp
     sol::table initUserInterfacePackage(const Context&);
-    void clearUserInterface();
 
     // Implemented in inputbindings.cpp
     sol::table initInputPackage(const Context&);
diff --git a/components/CMakeLists.txt b/components/CMakeLists.txt
index 89b27b0d94..131581f7f7 100644
--- a/components/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/components/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -162,8 +162,8 @@ add_component_dir (queries
     )
     
 add_component_dir (lua_ui
-    widget element util layers content
-    text textedit window
+    properties widget element util layers content
+    text textedit window image
     )
 
 
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/element.cpp b/components/lua_ui/element.cpp
index dcb21c32a0..c9e0fc309e 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/element.cpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/element.cpp
@@ -7,128 +7,144 @@
 
 namespace LuaUi
 {
-    std::string widgetType(const sol::table& layout)
+    namespace LayoutKeys
     {
-        return layout.get_or("type", std::string("LuaWidget"));
+        constexpr std::string_view type = "type";
+        constexpr std::string_view name = "name";
+        constexpr std::string_view layer = "layer";
+        constexpr std::string_view templateLayout = "template";
+        constexpr std::string_view props = "props";
+        constexpr std::string_view events = "events";
+        constexpr std::string_view content = "content";
+        constexpr std::string_view external = "external";
     }
 
-    Content content(const sol::table& layout)
+    std::string widgetType(const sol::table& layout)
     {
-        auto optional = layout.get<sol::optional<Content>>("content");
-        if (optional.has_value())
-            return optional.value();
-        else
-            return Content();
+        return layout.get_or(LayoutKeys::type, std::string("LuaWidget"));
     }
 
-    void setProperties(LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::table& layout)
+    void destroyWidget(LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext)
     {
-        ext->setProperties(layout.get<sol::object>("props"));
+        ext->deinitialize();
+        MyGUI::Gui::getInstancePtr()->destroyWidget(ext->widget());
     }
 
-    void setEventCallbacks(LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::table& layout)
+    WidgetExtension* createWidget(const sol::table& layout);
+    void updateWidget(WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::table& layout);
+
+    std::vector<WidgetExtension*> updateContent(
+        const std::vector<WidgetExtension*>& children, const sol::object& contentObj)
     {
-        ext->clearCallbacks();
-        auto events = layout.get<sol::optional<sol::table>>("events");
-        if (events.has_value())
+        std::vector<WidgetExtension*> result;
+        if (contentObj == sol::nil)
         {
-            events.value().for_each([ext](const sol::object& name, const sol::object& callback)
-                {
-                    if (name.is<std::string>() && callback.is<LuaUtil::Callback>())
-                        ext->setCallback(name.as<std::string>(), callback.as<LuaUtil::Callback>());
-                    else if (!name.is<std::string>())
-                        Log(Debug::Warning) << "UI event key must be a string";
-                    else if (!callback.is<LuaUtil::Callback>())
-                        Log(Debug::Warning) << "UI event handler for key \"" << name.as<std::string>()
-                                            << "\" must be an openmw.async.callback";
-                });
+            for (WidgetExtension* w : children)
+                destroyWidget(w);
+            return result;
         }
+        if (!contentObj.is<Content>())
+            throw std::logic_error("Layout content field must be a openmw.ui.content");
+        Content content = contentObj.as<Content>();
+        result.resize(content.size());
+        size_t minSize = std::min(children.size(), content.size());
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < minSize; i++)
+        {
+            WidgetExtension* ext = children[i];
+            sol::table newLayout = content.at(i);
+            if (ext->widget()->getTypeName() == widgetType(newLayout)
+                && ext->getLayout() == newLayout)
+            {
+                updateWidget(ext, newLayout);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                destroyWidget(ext);
+                ext = createWidget(newLayout);
+            }
+            result[i] = ext;
+        }
+        for (size_t i = minSize; i < children.size(); i++)
+            destroyWidget(children[i]);
+        for (size_t i = minSize; i < content.size(); i++)
+            result[i] = createWidget(content.at(i));
+        return result;
     }
 
-    void setLayout(LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::table& layout)
+    void setTemplate(WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::object& templateLayout)
     {
-        ext->setLayout(layout);
+        // \todo remove when none of the widgets require this workaround
+        sol::object skin = LuaUtil::getFieldOrNil(templateLayout, "skin");
+        if (skin.is<std::string>())
+            ext->widget()->changeWidgetSkin(skin.as<std::string>());
+
+        sol::object props = LuaUtil::getFieldOrNil(templateLayout, LayoutKeys::props);
+        ext->setTemplateProperties(props);
+        sol::object content = LuaUtil::getFieldOrNil(templateLayout, LayoutKeys::content);
+        ext->setTemplateChildren(updateContent(ext->templateChildren(), content));
+    }
+
+    void setEventCallbacks(LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::object& eventsObj)
+    {
+        ext->clearCallbacks();
+        if (eventsObj == sol::nil)
+            return;
+        if (!eventsObj.is<sol::table>())
+            throw std::logic_error("The \"events\" layout field must be a table of callbacks");
+        auto events = eventsObj.as<sol::table>();
+        events.for_each([ext](const sol::object& name, const sol::object& callback)
+        {
+            if (name.is<std::string>() && callback.is<LuaUtil::Callback>())
+                ext->setCallback(name.as<std::string>(), callback.as<LuaUtil::Callback>());
+            else if (!name.is<std::string>())
+                Log(Debug::Warning) << "UI event key must be a string";
+            else if (!callback.is<LuaUtil::Callback>())
+                Log(Debug::Warning) << "UI event handler for key \"" << name.as<std::string>()
+                                    << "\" must be an openmw.async.callback";
+        });
     }
 
-    LuaUi::WidgetExtension* createWidget(const sol::table& layout, LuaUi::WidgetExtension* parent)
+    WidgetExtension* createWidget(const sol::table& layout)
     {
         std::string type = widgetType(layout);
-        std::string skin = layout.get_or("skin", std::string());
-        std::string name = layout.get_or("name", std::string());
+        std::string name = layout.get_or(LayoutKeys::name, std::string());
 
         static auto widgetTypeMap = widgetTypeToName();
         if (widgetTypeMap.find(type) == widgetTypeMap.end())
             throw std::logic_error(std::string("Invalid widget type ") += type);
 
         MyGUI::Widget* widget = MyGUI::Gui::getInstancePtr()->createWidgetT(
-            type, skin,
+            type, "",
             MyGUI::IntCoord(), MyGUI::Align::Default,
             std::string(), name);
 
-        LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext = dynamic_cast<LuaUi::WidgetExtension*>(widget);
+        WidgetExtension* ext = dynamic_cast<WidgetExtension*>(widget);
         if (!ext)
             throw std::runtime_error("Invalid widget!");
-
         ext->initialize(layout.lua_state(), widget);
-        if (parent != nullptr)
-            widget->attachToWidget(parent->widget());
-
-        setEventCallbacks(ext, layout);
-        setProperties(ext, layout);
-        setLayout(ext, layout);
-
-        Content cont = content(layout);
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < cont.size(); i++)
-            ext->addChild(createWidget(cont.at(i), ext));
 
+        updateWidget(ext, layout);
         return ext;
     }
 
-    void destroyWidget(LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext)
-    {
-        ext->deinitialize();
-        MyGUI::Gui::getInstancePtr()->destroyWidget(ext->widget());
-    }
-
-    void updateWidget(const sol::table& layout, LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext)
+    void updateWidget(WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::table& layout)
     {
-        setEventCallbacks(ext, layout);
-        setProperties(ext, layout);
-        setLayout(ext, layout);
-
-        Content newContent = content(layout);
-
-        size_t oldSize = ext->childCount();
-        size_t newSize = newContent.size();
-        size_t minSize = std::min(oldSize, newSize);
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < minSize; i++)
-        {
-            LuaUi::WidgetExtension* oldWidget = ext->childAt(i);
-            sol::table newChild = newContent.at(i);
-
-            if (oldWidget->widget()->getTypeName() != widgetType(newChild))
-            {
-                destroyWidget(oldWidget);
-                ext->assignChild(i, createWidget(newChild, ext));
-            }
-            else
-                updateWidget(newChild, oldWidget);
-        }
-
-        for (size_t i = minSize; i < oldSize; i++)
-            destroyWidget(ext->eraseChild(i));
+        ext->setLayout(layout);
+        ext->setExternal(layout.get<sol::object>(LayoutKeys::external));
+        setTemplate(ext, layout.get<sol::object>(LayoutKeys::templateLayout));
+        ext->setProperties(layout.get<sol::object>(LayoutKeys::props));
+        setEventCallbacks(ext, layout.get<sol::object>(LayoutKeys::events));
 
-        for (size_t i = minSize; i < newSize; i++)
-            ext->addChild(createWidget(newContent.at(i), ext));
+        ext->setChildren(updateContent(ext->children(), layout.get<sol::object>(LayoutKeys::content)));
     }
 
-    void setLayer(const sol::table& layout, LuaUi::WidgetExtension* ext)
+    void setLayer(WidgetExtension* ext, const sol::table& layout)
     {
         MyGUI::ILayer* layerNode = ext->widget()->getLayer();
         std::string currentLayer = layerNode ? layerNode->getName() : std::string();
-        std::string newLayer = layout.get_or("layer", std::string());
+        std::string newLayer = layout.get_or(LayoutKeys::layer, std::string());
         if (!newLayer.empty() && !MyGUI::LayerManager::getInstance().isExist(newLayer))
-            throw std::logic_error(std::string("Layer ") += newLayer += " doesn't exist");
+            throw std::logic_error(std::string("Layer ") + newLayer + " doesn't exist");
         else if (newLayer != currentLayer)
         {
             MyGUI::LayerManager::getInstance().attachToLayerNode(newLayer, ext->widget());
@@ -157,8 +173,8 @@ namespace LuaUi
         assert(!mRoot);
         if (!mRoot)
         {
-            mRoot = createWidget(mLayout, nullptr);
-            setLayer(mLayout, mRoot);
+            mRoot = createWidget(mLayout);
+            setLayer(mRoot, mLayout);
         }
     }
 
@@ -166,8 +182,8 @@ namespace LuaUi
     {
         if (mRoot && mUpdate)
         {
-            updateWidget(mLayout, mRoot);
-            setLayer(mLayout, mRoot);
+            updateWidget(mRoot, mLayout);
+            setLayer(mRoot, mLayout);
         }
         mUpdate = false;
     }
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/image.cpp b/components/lua_ui/image.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c8fdafbb66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/lua_ui/image.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#include "image.hpp"
+
+#include <MyGUI_RenderManager.h>
+
+namespace LuaUi
+{
+    void LuaTileRect::_setAlign(const MyGUI::IntSize& _oldsize)
+    {
+        mCurrentCoord.set(0, 0, mCroppedParent->getWidth(), mCroppedParent->getHeight());
+        mAlign = MyGUI::Align::Stretch;
+        MyGUI::TileRect::_setAlign(_oldsize);
+        mTileSize = mSetTileSize;
+
+        // zero tilesize stands for not tiling
+        if (mTileSize.width == 0)
+            mTileSize.width = mCoord.width;
+        if (mTileSize.height == 0)
+            mTileSize.height = mCoord.height;
+
+        // mCoord could be zero, prevent division by 0
+        // use arbitrary large numbers to prevent performance issues
+        if (mTileSize.width == 0)
+            mTileSize.width = 1e7;
+        if (mTileSize.height == 0)
+            mTileSize.height = 1e7;
+    }
+
+    LuaImage::LuaImage()
+    {
+        changeWidgetSkin("LuaImage");
+        mTileRect = dynamic_cast<LuaTileRect*>(getSubWidgetMain());
+    }
+
+    void LuaImage::updateProperties()
+    {
+        setImageTexture(propertyValue("path", std::string()));
+
+        bool tileH = propertyValue("tileH", false);
+        bool tileV = propertyValue("tileV", false);
+        MyGUI::ITexture* texture = MyGUI::RenderManager::getInstance().getTexture(_getTextureName());
+        MyGUI::IntSize textureSize;
+        if (texture != nullptr)
+            textureSize = MyGUI::IntSize(texture->getWidth(), texture->getHeight());
+        mTileRect->updateSize(MyGUI::IntSize(
+            tileH ? textureSize.width : 0,
+            tileV ? textureSize.height : 0
+        ));
+
+        WidgetExtension::updateProperties();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/image.hpp b/components/lua_ui/image.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4073d1bd2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/lua_ui/image.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+#ifndef OPENMW_LUAUI_IMAGE
+#define OPENMW_LUAUI_IMAGE
+
+#include <MyGUI_TileRect.h>
+#include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
+
+#include "widget.hpp"
+
+namespace LuaUi
+{
+    class LuaTileRect : public MyGUI::TileRect
+    {
+        MYGUI_RTTI_DERIVED(LuaTileRect)
+
+        public:
+            void _setAlign(const MyGUI::IntSize& _oldsize) override;
+
+            void updateSize(MyGUI::IntSize tileSize) { mSetTileSize = tileSize; }
+
+        protected:
+            MyGUI::IntSize mSetTileSize;
+    };
+
+    class LuaImage : public MyGUI::ImageBox, public WidgetExtension
+    {
+        MYGUI_RTTI_DERIVED(LuaImage)
+
+        public:
+            LuaImage();
+
+        protected:
+            virtual void updateProperties() override;
+            LuaTileRect* mTileRect;
+    };
+}
+
+#endif // OPENMW_LUAUI_IMAGE
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/properties.hpp b/components/lua_ui/properties.hpp
index 7f23a5ce6c..7c47291b84 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/properties.hpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/properties.hpp
@@ -9,56 +9,82 @@
 
 namespace LuaUi
 {
-    template <typename T>
-    sol::optional<T> getProperty(sol::object from, std::string_view field) {
-        sol::object value = LuaUtil::getFieldOrNil(from, field);
-        if (value == sol::nil)
-            return sol::nullopt;
-        if (value.is<T>())
-            return value.as<T>();
-        std::string error("Property \"");
-        error += field;
-        error += "\" has an invalid value \"";
-        error += LuaUtil::toString(value);
-        error += "\"";
-        throw std::logic_error(error);
+    template<typename T>
+    constexpr bool isMyGuiVector() {
+        return
+            std::is_same<T, MyGUI::IntPoint>() ||
+            std::is_same<T, MyGUI::IntSize>() ||
+            std::is_same<T, MyGUI::FloatPoint>() ||
+            std::is_same<T, MyGUI::FloatSize>();
     }
 
-    template<typename T>
-    T parseProperty(sol::object from, std::string_view field, const T& defaultValue)
+    template <typename T, typename LuaT>
+    sol::optional<T> parseValue(
+        sol::object table,
+        std::string_view field,
+        std::string_view errorPrefix)
     {
-        sol::optional<T> opt = getProperty<T>(from, field);
-        if (opt.has_value())
-            return opt.value();
+        sol::object opt = LuaUtil::getFieldOrNil(table, field);
+        if (opt != sol::nil && !opt.is<LuaT>())
+        {
+            std::string error(errorPrefix);
+            error += " \"";
+            error += field;
+            error += "\" has an invalid value \"";
+            error += LuaUtil::toString(opt);
+            error += "\"";
+            throw std::logic_error(error);
+        }
+        if (!opt.is<LuaT>())
+            return sol::nullopt;
+
+        LuaT luaT = opt.as<LuaT>();
+        if constexpr (isMyGuiVector<T>())
+            return T(luaT.x(), luaT.y());
         else
-            return defaultValue;
+            return luaT;
     }
 
     template <typename T>
-    MyGUI::types::TPoint<T> parseProperty(
-        sol::object from,
+    sol::optional<T> parseValue(
+        sol::object table,
         std::string_view field,
-        const MyGUI::types::TPoint<T>& defaultValue)
+        std::string_view errorPrefix)
     {
-        auto v = getProperty<osg::Vec2f>(from, field);
-        if (v.has_value())
-            return MyGUI::types::TPoint<T>(v.value().x(), v.value().y());
+        if constexpr (isMyGuiVector<T>())
+            return parseValue<T, osg::Vec2f>(table, field, errorPrefix);
         else
-            return defaultValue;
+            return parseValue<T, T>(table, field, errorPrefix);
     }
 
     template <typename T>
-    MyGUI::types::TSize<T> parseProperty(
-        sol::object from,
+    T parseProperty(
+        sol::object props,
+        sol::object templateProps,
         std::string_view field,
-        const MyGUI::types::TSize<T>& defaultValue)
+        const T& defaultValue)
     {
-        auto v = getProperty<osg::Vec2f>(from, field);
-        if (v.has_value())
-            return MyGUI::types::TSize<T>(v.value().x(), v.value().y());
+        auto propOptional = parseValue<T>(props, field, "Property");
+        auto templateOptional = parseValue<T>(templateProps, field, "Template property");
+
+        if (propOptional.has_value())
+            return propOptional.value();
+        else if (templateOptional.has_value())
+            return templateOptional.value();
         else
             return defaultValue;
     }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    T parseExternal(
+        sol::object external,
+        std::string_view field,
+        const T& defaultValue)
+    {
+        auto optional = parseValue<T>(external, field, "External value");
+
+        return optional.value_or(defaultValue);
+    }
 }
 
 #endif // !OPENMW_LUAUI_PROPERTIES
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/text.cpp b/components/lua_ui/text.cpp
index f93f8eecf0..47e2b574cc 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/text.cpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/text.cpp
@@ -5,13 +5,22 @@ namespace LuaUi
 {
     LuaText::LuaText()
         : mAutoSized(true)
-    {}
+    {
+        changeWidgetSkin("NormalText");
+    }
+
+    void LuaText::updateProperties()
+    {
+        setCaption(propertyValue("caption", std::string()));
+        mAutoSized = propertyValue("autoSize", true);
+        WidgetExtension::updateProperties();
+    }
 
-    void LuaText::setProperties(sol::object props)
+    void LuaText::setCaption(const MyGUI::UString& caption)
     {
-        setCaption(parseProperty(props, "caption", std::string()));
-        mAutoSized = parseProperty(props, "autoSize", true);
-        WidgetExtension::setProperties(props);
+        MyGUI::TextBox::setCaption(caption);
+        if (mAutoSized)
+            updateCoord();
     }
 
     MyGUI::IntSize LuaText::calculateSize()
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/text.hpp b/components/lua_ui/text.hpp
index 533dc4f453..c435f6687a 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/text.hpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/text.hpp
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ namespace LuaUi
 
         public:
             LuaText();
-            virtual void setProperties(sol::object) override;
+            virtual void updateProperties() override;
+            void setCaption(const MyGUI::UString& caption) override;
 
         private:
             bool mAutoSized;
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/textedit.cpp b/components/lua_ui/textedit.cpp
index 9cdc716ce4..5fbdf3e6d8 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/textedit.cpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/textedit.cpp
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@
 
 namespace LuaUi
 {
-    void LuaTextEdit::setProperties(sol::object props)
+    void LuaTextEdit::updateProperties()
     {
-        setCaption(parseProperty(props, "caption", std::string()));
-        WidgetExtension::setProperties(props);
+        setCaption(propertyValue("caption", std::string()));
+
+        WidgetExtension::updateProperties();
     }
 }
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/textedit.hpp b/components/lua_ui/textedit.hpp
index d14f54d659..dfc649994a 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/textedit.hpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/textedit.hpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ namespace LuaUi
     {
         MYGUI_RTTI_DERIVED(LuaTextEdit)
 
-        virtual void setProperties(sol::object) override;
+        virtual void updateProperties() override;
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/util.cpp b/components/lua_ui/util.cpp
index 8cadbc9cc2..1e13c97a80 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/util.cpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/util.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "text.hpp"
 #include "textedit.hpp"
 #include "window.hpp"
+#include "image.hpp"
 
 #include "element.hpp"
 
@@ -18,6 +19,8 @@ namespace LuaUi
         MyGUI::FactoryManager::getInstance().registerFactory<LuaText>("Widget");
         MyGUI::FactoryManager::getInstance().registerFactory<LuaTextEdit>("Widget");
         MyGUI::FactoryManager::getInstance().registerFactory<LuaWindow>("Widget");
+        MyGUI::FactoryManager::getInstance().registerFactory<LuaImage>("Widget");
+        MyGUI::FactoryManager::getInstance().registerFactory<LuaTileRect>("BasisSkin");
     }
 
     const std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string>& widgetTypeToName()
@@ -27,6 +30,7 @@ namespace LuaUi
             { "LuaText", "Text" },
             { "LuaTextEdit", "TextEdit" },
             { "LuaWindow", "Window" },
+            { "LuaImage", "Image" },
         };
         return types;
     }
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/widget.cpp b/components/lua_ui/widget.cpp
index 50c6a193e6..027adc44ca 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/widget.cpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/widget.cpp
@@ -16,22 +16,15 @@ namespace LuaUi
         , mAnchor()
         , mLua{ nullptr }
         , mWidget{ nullptr }
+        , mSlot(this)
         , mLayout{ sol::nil }
     {}
 
-    void WidgetExtension::triggerEvent(std::string_view name, const sol::object& argument = sol::nil) const
-    {
-        auto it = mCallbacks.find(name);
-        if (it != mCallbacks.end())
-            it->second(argument, mLayout);
-    }
-
     void WidgetExtension::initialize(lua_State* lua, MyGUI::Widget* self)
     {
         mLua = lua;
         mWidget = self;
-
-        mWidget->eventChangeCoord += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &WidgetExtension::updateChildrenCoord);
+        updateTemplate();
 
         initialize();
     }
@@ -71,8 +64,56 @@ namespace LuaUi
         mWidget->eventKeySetFocus.clear();
         mWidget->eventKeyLostFocus.clear();
 
-        for (WidgetExtension* child : mContent)
-            child->deinitialize();
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mChildren)
+            w->deinitialize();
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mTemplateChildren)
+            w->deinitialize();
+    }
+
+    void WidgetExtension::attach(WidgetExtension* ext)
+    {
+        ext->widget()->attachToWidget(mSlot->widget());
+        ext->updateCoord();
+    }
+
+    WidgetExtension* WidgetExtension::findFirst(std::string_view flagName)
+    {
+        if (externalValue(flagName, false))
+            return this;
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mChildren)
+        {
+            WidgetExtension* result = w->findFirst(flagName);
+            if (result != nullptr)
+                return result;
+        }
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+
+    void WidgetExtension::findAll(std::string_view flagName, std::vector<WidgetExtension*>& result)
+    {
+        if (externalValue(flagName, false))
+            result.push_back(this);
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mChildren)
+            w->findAll(flagName, result);
+    }
+
+    WidgetExtension* WidgetExtension::findFirstInTemplates(std::string_view flagName)
+    {
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mTemplateChildren)
+        {
+            WidgetExtension* result = w->findFirst(flagName);
+            if (result != nullptr)
+                return result;
+        }
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+
+    std::vector<WidgetExtension*> WidgetExtension::findAllInTemplates(std::string_view flagName)
+    {
+        std::vector<WidgetExtension*> result;
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mTemplateChildren)
+            w->findAll(flagName, result);
+        return result;
     }
 
     sol::table WidgetExtension::makeTable() const
@@ -91,9 +132,9 @@ namespace LuaUi
 
     sol::object WidgetExtension::mouseEvent(int left, int top, MyGUI::MouseButton button = MyGUI::MouseButton::None) const
     {
-        auto position = osg::Vec2f(left, top);
-        auto absolutePosition = mWidget->getAbsolutePosition();
-        auto offset = position - osg::Vec2f(absolutePosition.left, absolutePosition.top);
+        osg::Vec2f position(left, top);
+        MyGUI::IntPoint absolutePosition = mWidget->getAbsolutePosition();
+        osg::Vec2f offset = position - osg::Vec2f(absolutePosition.left, absolutePosition.top);
         sol::table table = makeTable();
         table["position"] = position;
         table["offset"] = offset;
@@ -101,31 +142,36 @@ namespace LuaUi
         return table;
     }
 
-    void WidgetExtension::addChild(WidgetExtension* ext)
-    {
-        mContent.push_back(ext);
-    }
-
-    WidgetExtension* WidgetExtension::childAt(size_t index) const
+    void WidgetExtension::setChildren(const std::vector<WidgetExtension*>& children)
     {
-        return mContent.at(index);
+        mChildren.resize(children.size());
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < children.size(); ++i)
+        {
+            mChildren[i] = children[i];
+            attach(mChildren[i]);
+        }
     }
 
-    void WidgetExtension::assignChild(size_t index, WidgetExtension* ext)
+    void WidgetExtension::setTemplateChildren(const std::vector<WidgetExtension*>& children)
     {
-        if (mContent.size() <= index)
-            throw std::logic_error("Invalid widget child index");
-        mContent[index] = ext;
+        mTemplateChildren.resize(children.size());
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < children.size(); ++i)
+        {
+            mTemplateChildren[i] = children[i];
+            mTemplateChildren[i]->widget()->attachToWidget(mWidget);
+        }
+        updateTemplate();
     }
 
-    WidgetExtension* WidgetExtension::eraseChild(size_t index)
+    void WidgetExtension::updateTemplate()
     {
-        if (mContent.size() <= index)
-            throw std::logic_error("Invalid widget child index");
-        auto it = mContent.begin() + index;
-        WidgetExtension* ext = *it;
-        mContent.erase(it);
-        return ext;
+        WidgetExtension* oldSlot = mSlot;
+        mSlot = findFirstInTemplates("slot");
+        if (mSlot == nullptr)
+            mSlot = this;
+        if (mSlot != oldSlot)
+            for (WidgetExtension* w : mChildren)
+                attach(w);
     }
 
     void WidgetExtension::setCallback(const std::string& name, const LuaUtil::Callback& callback)
@@ -150,25 +196,39 @@ namespace LuaUi
 
     void WidgetExtension::updateCoord()
     {
-        mWidget->setCoord(calculateCoord());
+        MyGUI::IntCoord oldCoord = mWidget->getCoord();
+        MyGUI::IntCoord newCoord = calculateCoord();
+
+        if (oldCoord != newCoord)
+            mWidget->setCoord(newCoord);
+        if (oldCoord.size() != newCoord.size())
+            updateChildrenCoord();
     }
 
     void WidgetExtension::setProperties(sol::object props)
     {
-        mAbsoluteCoord = parseProperty(props, "position", MyGUI::IntPoint());
-        mAbsoluteCoord = parseProperty(props, "size", MyGUI::IntSize());
-        mRelativeCoord = parseProperty(props, "relativePosition", MyGUI::FloatPoint());
-        mRelativeCoord = parseProperty(props, "relativeSize", MyGUI::FloatSize());
-        mAnchor = parseProperty(props, "anchor", MyGUI::FloatSize());
-        mWidget->setVisible(parseProperty(props, "visible", true));
-
+        mProperties = props;
+        updateProperties();
         updateCoord();
     }
 
-    void WidgetExtension::updateChildrenCoord(MyGUI::Widget* _widget)
+    void WidgetExtension::updateProperties()
+    {
+        mAbsoluteCoord = propertyValue("position", MyGUI::IntPoint());
+        mAbsoluteCoord = propertyValue("size", MyGUI::IntSize());
+        mRelativeCoord = propertyValue("relativePosition", MyGUI::FloatPoint());
+        mRelativeCoord = propertyValue("relativeSize", MyGUI::FloatSize());
+        mAnchor = propertyValue("anchor", MyGUI::FloatSize());
+        mWidget->setVisible(propertyValue("visible", true));
+        mWidget->setPointer(propertyValue("pointer", std::string("arrow")));
+    }
+
+    void WidgetExtension::updateChildrenCoord()
     {
-        for (auto& child : mContent)
-            child->updateCoord();
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mTemplateChildren)
+            w->updateCoord();
+        for (WidgetExtension* w : mChildren)
+            w->updateCoord();
     }
 
     MyGUI::IntSize WidgetExtension::calculateSize()
@@ -199,6 +259,13 @@ namespace LuaUi
         return newCoord;
     }
 
+    void WidgetExtension::triggerEvent(std::string_view name, const sol::object& argument = sol::nil) const
+    {
+        auto it = mCallbacks.find(name);
+        if (it != mCallbacks.end())
+            it->second(argument, mLayout);
+    }
+
     void WidgetExtension::keyPress(MyGUI::Widget*, MyGUI::KeyCode code, MyGUI::Char ch)
     {
         if (code == MyGUI::KeyCode::None)
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/widget.hpp b/components/lua_ui/widget.hpp
index f8ba105be5..4085963137 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/widget.hpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/widget.hpp
@@ -26,35 +26,57 @@ namespace LuaUi
         // must be called after before destroying the underlying MyGUI::Widget
         virtual void deinitialize();
 
-        void addChild(WidgetExtension* ext);
-        WidgetExtension* childAt(size_t index) const;
-        void assignChild(size_t index, WidgetExtension* ext);
-        WidgetExtension* eraseChild(size_t index);
-        size_t childCount() const { return mContent.size(); }
-
         MyGUI::Widget* widget() const { return mWidget; }
 
+        const std::vector<WidgetExtension*>& children() { return mChildren; }
+        void setChildren(const std::vector<WidgetExtension*>&);
+
+        const std::vector<WidgetExtension*>& templateChildren() { return mTemplateChildren; }
+        void setTemplateChildren(const std::vector<WidgetExtension*>&);
+
         void setCallback(const std::string&, const LuaUtil::Callback&);
         void clearCallbacks();
 
-        virtual void setProperties(sol::object);
+        void setProperties(sol::object);
+        void setTemplateProperties(sol::object props) { mTemplateProperties = props; }
+
+        void setExternal(sol::object external) { mExternal = external; }
 
         MyGUI::IntCoord forcedCoord();
         void setForcedCoord(const MyGUI::IntCoord& offset);
         void updateCoord();
 
+        const sol::table& getLayout() { return mLayout; }
         void setLayout(const sol::table& layout) { mLayout = layout; }
 
+        template <typename T>
+        T externalValue(std::string_view name, const T& defaultValue)
+        {
+            return parseExternal(mExternal, name, defaultValue);
+        }
+
     protected:
         virtual void initialize();
         sol::table makeTable() const;
         sol::object keyEvent(MyGUI::KeyCode) const;
         sol::object mouseEvent(int left, int top, MyGUI::MouseButton button) const;
-        
+
         virtual MyGUI::IntSize calculateSize();
         virtual MyGUI::IntPoint calculatePosition(const MyGUI::IntSize& size);
         MyGUI::IntCoord calculateCoord();
 
+        template<typename T>
+        T propertyValue(std::string_view name, const T& defaultValue)
+        {
+            return parseProperty(mProperties, mTemplateProperties, name, defaultValue);
+        }
+
+        WidgetExtension* findFirstInTemplates(std::string_view flagName);
+        std::vector<WidgetExtension*> findAllInTemplates(std::string_view flagName);
+
+        virtual void updateTemplate();
+        virtual void updateProperties();
+
         void triggerEvent(std::string_view name, const sol::object& argument) const;
 
         // offsets the position and size, used only in C++ widget code
@@ -71,12 +93,21 @@ namespace LuaUi
         // use lua_State* instead of sol::state_view because MyGUI requires a default constructor
         lua_State* mLua;
         MyGUI::Widget* mWidget;
-
-        std::vector<WidgetExtension*> mContent;
+        std::vector<WidgetExtension*> mChildren;
+        std::vector<WidgetExtension*> mTemplateChildren;
+        WidgetExtension* mSlot;
         std::map<std::string, LuaUtil::Callback, std::less<>> mCallbacks;
         sol::table mLayout;
+        sol::object mProperties;
+        sol::object mTemplateProperties;
+        sol::object mExternal;
+
+        void attach(WidgetExtension* ext);
+
+        WidgetExtension* findFirst(std::string_view name);
+        void findAll(std::string_view flagName, std::vector<WidgetExtension*>& result);
 
-        void updateChildrenCoord(MyGUI::Widget*);
+        void updateChildrenCoord();
 
         void keyPress(MyGUI::Widget*, MyGUI::KeyCode, MyGUI::Char);
         void keyRelease(MyGUI::Widget*, MyGUI::KeyCode);
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/window.cpp b/components/lua_ui/window.cpp
index 5d34bf8212..6e6b80bf22 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/window.cpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/window.cpp
@@ -11,46 +11,40 @@ namespace LuaUi
         , mMoveResize()
     {}
 
-    void LuaWindow::initialize()
+    void LuaWindow::updateTemplate()
     {
-        WidgetExtension::initialize();
-
-        assignWidget(mCaption, "Caption");
-        if (mCaption)
+        for (auto& [w, _] : mActionWidgets)
         {
-            mCaption->eventMouseButtonPressed += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &LuaWindow::notifyMousePress);
-            mCaption->eventMouseDrag += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &LuaWindow::notifyMouseDrag);
-        }
-        for (auto w : getSkinWidgetsByName("Action"))
-        {
-            w->eventMouseButtonPressed += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &LuaWindow::notifyMousePress);
-            w->eventMouseDrag += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &LuaWindow::notifyMouseDrag);
+            w->eventMouseButtonPressed.clear();
+            w->eventMouseDrag.m_event.clear();
         }
-    }
+        mActionWidgets.clear();
 
-    void LuaWindow::deinitialize()
-    {
-        WidgetExtension::deinitialize();
+        WidgetExtension* captionWidget = findFirstInTemplates("caption");
+        mCaption = dynamic_cast<LuaText*>(captionWidget);
 
         if (mCaption)
+            mActionWidgets.emplace(mCaption->widget(), mCaption);
+        for (WidgetExtension* ext : findAllInTemplates("action"))
+            mActionWidgets.emplace(ext->widget(), ext);
+
+        for (auto& [w, _] : mActionWidgets)
         {
-            mCaption->eventMouseButtonPressed.clear();
-            mCaption->eventMouseDrag.m_event.clear();
-        }
-        for (auto w : getSkinWidgetsByName("Action"))
-        {
-            w->eventMouseButtonPressed.clear();
-            w->eventMouseDrag.m_event.clear();
+            w->eventMouseButtonPressed += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &LuaWindow::notifyMousePress);
+            w->eventMouseDrag += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &LuaWindow::notifyMouseDrag);
         }
+
+        WidgetExtension::updateTemplate();
     }
 
-    void LuaWindow::setProperties(sol::object props)
+    void LuaWindow::updateProperties()
     {
         if (mCaption)
-            mCaption->setCaption(parseProperty(props, "caption", std::string()));
+            mCaption->setCaption(propertyValue("caption", std::string()));
         mMoveResize = MyGUI::IntCoord();
         setForcedCoord(mMoveResize);
-        WidgetExtension::setProperties(props);
+
+        WidgetExtension::updateProperties();
     }
 
     void LuaWindow::notifyMousePress(MyGUI::Widget* sender, int left, int top, MyGUI::MouseButton id)
@@ -61,10 +55,11 @@ namespace LuaUi
         mPreviousMouse.left = left;
         mPreviousMouse.top = top;
 
-        if (sender->isUserString("Scale"))
-            mChangeScale = MyGUI::IntCoord::parse(sender->getUserString("Scale"));
-        else
-            mChangeScale = MyGUI::IntCoord(1, 1, 0, 0);
+        WidgetExtension* ext = mActionWidgets[sender];
+
+        mChangeScale = MyGUI::IntCoord(
+            ext->externalValue("move", MyGUI::IntPoint(1, 1)),
+            ext->externalValue("resize", MyGUI::IntSize(0, 0)));
     }
 
     void LuaWindow::notifyMouseDrag(MyGUI::Widget* sender, int left, int top, MyGUI::MouseButton id)
diff --git a/components/lua_ui/window.hpp b/components/lua_ui/window.hpp
index f34779c8f7..be3b3e2c23 100644
--- a/components/lua_ui/window.hpp
+++ b/components/lua_ui/window.hpp
@@ -3,9 +3,8 @@
 
 #include <optional>
 
-#include <MyGUI_TextBox.h>
-
 #include "widget.hpp"
+#include "text.hpp"
 
 namespace LuaUi
 {
@@ -15,20 +14,18 @@ namespace LuaUi
 
         public:
             LuaWindow();
-            virtual void setProperties(sol::object) override;
+            virtual void updateTemplate() override;
+            virtual void updateProperties() override;
 
         private:
-            // \todo replace with LuaText when skins are properly implemented
-            MyGUI::TextBox* mCaption;
+            LuaText* mCaption;
+            std::map<MyGUI::Widget*, WidgetExtension*> mActionWidgets;
             MyGUI::IntPoint mPreviousMouse;
             MyGUI::IntCoord mChangeScale;
 
             MyGUI::IntCoord mMoveResize;
 
         protected:
-            virtual void initialize() override;
-            virtual void deinitialize() override;
-
             void notifyMousePress(MyGUI::Widget*, int, int, MyGUI::MouseButton);
             void notifyMouseDrag(MyGUI::Widget*, int, int, MyGUI::MouseButton);
     };
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/user_interface.rst b/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/user_interface.rst
index 73ca57d1a7..13420d318c 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/user_interface.rst
+++ b/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/user_interface.rst
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ Every widget is defined by a layout, which is a Lua table with the following fie
 4. `content`: a Content (`openmw.ui.content`), which contains layouts for the children of this widget.
 5. | `name`: an arbitrary string, the only limitatiion is it being unique within a `Content`.
    | Helpful for navigatilng through the layouts.
-6. `layer`: only applies for the root widget. 
+6. `layer`: only applies for the root widget. (Windows, HUD, etc)
+7. `template`: a Lua table which pre-defines a layout for this widget. See Templates below for more details.
+8. `external`: similar to properties, but they affect how other widgets interact with this one. See the widget pages for details.
 
 Layers
 ------
@@ -57,7 +59,14 @@ A container holding all the widget's children. It has a few important difference
    | While there is nothing preventing you from changing the `name` of a table inside a content, it is not supported, and will lead to undefined behaviour.
    | If you have to change the name, assign a new table to the index instead.
 
-.. TODO: Talk about skins/templates here when they are ready
+Templates
+---------
+
+Templates are Lua tables with the following (optional) fields:
+
+1. `props`: Same as in layouts, defines the behaviour of this widget. Can be overwritten by `props` values in the layout.
+2. | `content`: Extra children to add to the widget. For example, the frame and caption for Window widgets.
+   | Contains normal layouts
 
 Events
 ------
@@ -97,7 +106,7 @@ Example
    local layout = {
       layers = 'Windows',
       type = ui.TYPE.Window,
-      skin = 'MW_Window', -- TODO: replace all skins here when they are properly implemented
+      template = { skin = 'MW_Window' }, -- TODO: replace all skins here when they are re-implemented in Lua
       props = {
          size = v2(200, 250),
          -- put the window in the middle of the screen
@@ -107,7 +116,7 @@ Example
       content = ui.content {
          {
             type = ui.TYPE.Text,
-            skin = 'SandText',
+            template = { skin = 'SandText' },
             props = {
                caption = 'Input password',
                relativePosition = v2(0.5, 0),
@@ -117,7 +126,7 @@ Example
          {
             name = 'input',
             type = ui.TYPE.TextEdit,
-            skin = "MW_TextEdit",
+            template = { skin = "MW_TextEdit" },
             props = {
                caption = '',
                relativePosition = v2(0.5, 0.5),
@@ -129,7 +138,7 @@ Example
          {
             name = 'submit',
             type = ui.TYPE.Text, -- TODO: replace with button when implemented
-            skin = "MW_Button",
+            template = { skin = "MW_Button" },
             props = {
                caption = 'Submit',
                -- position at the bottom
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/widgets/widget.rst b/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/widgets/widget.rst
index 49058ee278..36cc0917d9 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/widgets/widget.rst
+++ b/docs/source/reference/lua-scripting/widgets/widget.rst
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ Properties
     - boolean (true)
     - Defines if the widget is visible
 
+.. TODO: document the mouse pointer property, when API for reading / adding pointer types is available
+
 Events
 ------
 
@@ -75,3 +77,18 @@ Events
   * - textInput
     - string
     - Text input with this widget in focus
+
+External
+--------
+.. list-table::
+  :header-rows: 1
+  :widths: 20 20 60
+
+  * - name
+    - type (default value)
+    - description
+  * - slot
+    - bool (false)
+    - | Only applies for template content (ignored in layout content).
+      | If true, all the widgets defined in layout content will be rendered as children of this widget.
+      | Only one widget per template can have slot = true (others will be ignored).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/files/mygui/core.skin b/files/mygui/core.skin
index ee9135554e..5cf02a99e5 100644
--- a/files/mygui/core.skin
+++ b/files/mygui/core.skin
@@ -15,4 +15,8 @@
     <Resource type="ResourceSkin" name="ImageBox" size="16 16">
         <BasisSkin type="MainSkin" offset="0 0 16 16"/>
     </Resource>
+
+    <Resource type="ResourceSkin" name="LuaImage">
+        <BasisSkin type="LuaTileRect"/>
+    </Resource>
 </MyGUI>