diff --git a/doc/develop/manifest/external/external.rst.tmpl b/doc/develop/manifest/external/external.rst.tmpl
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..49e262ab36e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/develop/manifest/external/external.rst.tmpl
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+.. _external_module_<name>:
+
+<External Module Name>
+#######################
+
+Introduction
+************
+
+Short intro into the module and how it relates to Zephyr.
+
+Usage with Zephyr
+*****************
+
+How to use this module with Zephyr. Provide all the details.
+
+Reference
+*********
+
+External references and links.
diff --git a/doc/develop/manifest/index.rst b/doc/develop/manifest/index.rst
index 4c6d8f99117..a24c32de61c 100644
--- a/doc/develop/manifest/index.rst
+++ b/doc/develop/manifest/index.rst
@@ -53,6 +53,12 @@ file which includes them.  See :ref:`west-manifest-import` for information on
 recommended ways to do this while still inheriting the mandatory modules from
 Zephyr's :file:`west.yml`.
 
-.. rst-class:: rst-columns
+Use the template :file:`doc/develop/manifest/external/external.rst.tmpl` to add
+external modules to the list below:
 
-- TBD
+.. toctree::
+   :titlesonly:
+   :maxdepth: 1
+   :glob:
+
+   external/*