# Static Files `Django` handles static files (e.g. CSS, JavaScript, and images) already which `coltrane` leverages as part of the [record command](cli.md#record). The [`collectstatic` management command](https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/stable/ref/contrib/staticfiles/#collectstatic) is used to copy all static files to the `output/static` directory. ## Referring to static assets Instead of hardcoding the URL path to static assets, the `static` template tag should be used in either `markdown` or HTML templates. ```{note} Using the `static` template tag might feel unnecessary for simpler sites, but it will automatically use hashed file names that `whitenoise` provides for efficient serving and caching of static files. ``` **`content/index.md`** ```markdown ![music note]({% static 'images/music-note.svg' %}) ``` **Generated `index.html`** ```html ``` **`templates/custom/custom-template.html`** ```html ``` **Generated HTML** ```html ```