When working with templates and you want to reference a variable within the text, you can use the ${variableName} notation.
For example,
<span>You have ${count} credits left.</span>
You can also use the same PHPTALES paths as in other PHPTAL constructs:
<span>Your best friend is: ${php: !some.other() ? "me" : "your dog"}</span>
If you have to exscape the ${var} notation, write $${var}.