I am looking at some of the other templates and sorta see how it all works, but having a sample and some docs would be helpful. I am trying to build a page like the showmembers.tpl to search a different database. I have most of the code ready, but not exactly sure how to put it in the .tpl file... SD was the one that pointed me to run it through the ubb engine

For now I would look at UBBDev for clues.
Search for wrapper or pJIRC
Like SD said you need to create three files to make it work.

You should post your completed project to help others learn; it's how most of my "mods" at UBBDev happen hehe