I found examples showing how to use Manila Express on a news item based site like LtU. I am thinking of implementing this. Should make editors lives easier. Shortcuts are distinguished constants that represent terms. An association between a shortcut symbol and a term must be declared before any term that contains the shortcut could be evaluated. The declaration of a shortcut does not cause the corresponding term to be evaluated.
Shortcuts make programming in lambda-calculus remarkably more convenient.
Besides palying a bit with the LC, I suggest downloading and reading the code. Well commented, with quite useful comments if you are learning the lambda calculus.