Wikipedia:Requests for permissions/Template editor/Administrator instructions

The template editor user right allows trusted coders to edit templates and modules that have been protected with the "protected template" protection level (usually due to a high transclusion rate). It also allows those editors to edit edit notices, all of which are permanently uneditable without template editor or administrator rights.

Prerequisites
The template editor user right is granted by administrators. Administrators use their own discretionary assessment of an editor's template contribution value, as well as the following general guidelines:

Tools to assist in evaluating a candidate's suitability:
 * Special:Contributions (check contribs in the "Template talk" and "Module talk" namespaces for protected edit requests)
 * xtools
 * supercount