diff --git a/src/compiler/inline_expressions.ts b/src/common/inline_expressions.ts
similarity index 99%
rename from src/compiler/inline_expressions.ts
rename to src/common/inline_expressions.ts
index e67b769e..004c3cfe 100644
--- a/src/compiler/inline_expressions.ts
+++ b/src/common/inline_expressions.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { OwlError } from "../common/owl_error";
+import { OwlError } from "./owl_error";
 
 /**
  * Owl QWeb Expression Parser
diff --git a/src/compiler/code_generator.ts b/src/compiler/code_generator.ts
index 63e40f02..a9d1eb50 100644
--- a/src/compiler/code_generator.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/code_generator.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import {
   interpolate,
   INTERP_REGEXP,
   replaceDynamicParts,
-} from "./inline_expressions";
+} from "../common/inline_expressions";
 import {
   AST,
   ASTComment,
diff --git a/src/runtime/app.ts b/src/runtime/app.ts
index ea6e9fd4..19a282ce 100644
--- a/src/runtime/app.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/app.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
+import { OwlError } from "../common/owl_error";
 import { version } from "../version";
 import { Component, ComponentConstructor, Props } from "./component";
 import { ComponentNode, saveCurrent } from "./component_node";
-import { nodeErrorHandlers, handleError } from "./error_handling";
-import { OwlError } from "../common/owl_error";
-import { Fiber, RootFiber, MountOptions } from "./fibers";
+import { handleError, nodeErrorHandlers } from "./error_handling";
+import { Fiber, MountOptions, RootFiber } from "./fibers";
+import { reactive, toRaw } from "./reactivity";
 import { Scheduler } from "./scheduler";
 import { validateProps } from "./template_helpers";
 import { TemplateSet, TemplateSetConfig } from "./template_set";
 import { validateTarget } from "./utils";
-import { toRaw, reactive } from "./reactivity";
 
 // reimplement dev mode stuff see last change in 0f7a8289a6fb8387c3c1af41c6664b2a8448758f
 
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ export class App<
   subRoots: Set<Root<any, any>> = new Set();
   root: Root<P, E> | null = null;
   warnIfNoStaticProps: boolean;
+  _lastRootEl: HTMLElement | ShadowRoot | null = null; // temporary ref to propagate to roots
 
   constructor(Root: ComponentConstructor<P, E>, config: AppConfig<P, E> = {}) {
     super(config);
@@ -114,6 +115,8 @@ export class App<
     const root: Root<Props, SubEnv> = {
       node: null,
       mount: (target: HTMLElement | ShadowRoot, options?: MountOptions) => {
+        App.validateTarget(target);
+
         // hack to make sure the sub root get the sub env if necessary. for owl 3,
         // would be nice to rethink the initialization process to make sure that
         // we can create a ComponentNode and give it explicitely the env, instead
@@ -122,13 +125,24 @@ export class App<
           this.env = config.env as any;
         }
         const restore = saveCurrent();
+        if (options?.position === "attach") {
+          if (Root.template) {
+            throw new Error("Cannot attach a component with a template");
+          }
+          this._lastRootEl = target;
+        } else {
+          if (!Root.template) {
+            // no template => trigger an error
+            this.getTemplate("");
+          }
+        }
         const node = this.makeNode(Root, props);
         root.node = node;
+        this._lastRootEl = null;
         restore();
         if (config.env) {
           this.env = env;
         }
-        App.validateTarget(target);
         if (this.dev) {
           validateProps(Root, props, { __owl__: { app: this } });
         }
diff --git a/src/runtime/component.ts b/src/runtime/component.ts
index 6e4bbd92..faf90bd7 100644
--- a/src/runtime/component.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/component.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ export type Props = { [key: string]: any };
 
 interface StaticComponentProperties {
   template: string;
+  dynamicContent?: { [spec: string]: string };
   defaultProps?: any;
   props?: Schema;
   components?: { [componentName: string]: ComponentConstructor };
diff --git a/src/runtime/component_node.ts b/src/runtime/component_node.ts
index 31d4d933..c81a37ac 100644
--- a/src/runtime/component_node.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/component_node.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ import { OwlError } from "../common/owl_error";
 import { Fiber, makeChildFiber, makeRootFiber, MountFiber, MountOptions } from "./fibers";
 import { clearReactivesForCallback, getSubscriptions, reactive, targets } from "./reactivity";
 import { STATUS } from "./status";
-import { batched, Callback } from "./utils";
+import { batched, Callback, Markup } from "./utils";
+import { xml } from "./template_set";
+import { compileExpr } from "../common/inline_expressions";
 
 let currentNode: ComponentNode | null = null;
 
@@ -124,11 +126,102 @@ export class ComponentNode<P extends Props = any, E = any> implements VNode<Comp
     }
     this.component = new C(props, env, this);
     const ctx = Object.assign(Object.create(this.component), { this: this.component });
-    this.renderFn = app.getTemplate(C.template).bind(this.component, ctx, this);
+    if (C.template) {
+      this.renderFn = app.getTemplate(C.template).bind(this.component, ctx, this);
+    } else {
+      // component will be attached
+      this.renderFn = app.getTemplate(xml``).bind(this.component, ctx, this);
+      if (C.dynamicContent) {
+        this.prepareAttach(app._lastRootEl!, C.dynamicContent, ctx);
+      }
+    }
     this.component.setup();
     currentNode = null;
   }
 
+  prepareAttach(
+    el: HTMLElement | ShadowRoot,
+    dynamicContent: { [spec: string]: string },
+    ctx: any
+  ) {
+    const attrs: { selector: string; attr: string; fn: Function }[] = [];
+    const handlers: { selector: string; event: string; fn: any }[] = [];
+    const tOuts: { selector: string; fn: Function }[] = [];
+    for (let key in dynamicContent) {
+      const value = dynamicContent[key];
+      const parts = key.split(":");
+      if (parts[1].startsWith("t-att-")) {
+        const attr = parts[1].slice(6);
+        const fn = new Function("ctx", `return ${compileExpr(value)};`);
+        attrs.push({
+          selector: parts[0],
+          attr,
+          fn,
+        });
+      }
+      if (parts[1].startsWith("t-on-")) {
+        const event = parts[1].slice(5);
+        // const fn = new Function("ctx", "ev", `${compileExpr(value)}(ev);`);
+        const fn = (ev: any) => (this as any).component[value](ev);
+        handlers.push({
+          selector: parts[0],
+          event,
+          fn,
+        });
+      }
+      if (parts[1] === "t-out") {
+        const fn = new Function("ctx", `return ${compileExpr(value)};`);
+        tOuts.push({ selector: parts[0], fn });
+      }
+    }
+    const handleAttrs = () => {
+      for (let attr of attrs) {
+        const val = attr.fn.call(this.component, ctx);
+        // todo: cache the queryselector result?
+        const target = attr.selector === "root" ? el : (el.querySelector(attr.selector) as any);
+        if (target) {
+          target.setAttribute(attr.attr, val);
+        }
+      }
+    };
+    const handleEvents = () => {
+      for (let handler of handlers) {
+        // const val = attr.fn.call(this.component, ctx);
+        // todo: cache the queryselector result?
+        const target =
+          handler.selector === "root" ? el : (el.querySelector(handler.selector) as any);
+        if (target) {
+          target.addEventListener(handler.event, handler.fn);
+        }
+      }
+    };
+    const handleTOuts = () => {
+      for (let tOut of tOuts) {
+        const val = tOut.fn.call(this.component, ctx);
+        // todo: cache the queryselector result?
+        const target = tOut.selector === "root" ? el : (el.querySelector(tOut.selector) as any);
+        if (target) {
+          if (val instanceof Markup) {
+            target.innerHTML = val as any;
+          } else {
+            target.textContent = val;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    };
+    if (attrs.length) {
+      this.mounted.push(handleAttrs);
+      this.patched.push(handleAttrs);
+    }
+    if (handlers.length) {
+      this.mounted.push(handleEvents);
+    }
+    if (tOuts.length) {
+      this.mounted.push(handleTOuts);
+      this.patched.push(handleTOuts);
+    }
+  }
+
   mountComponent(target: any, options?: MountOptions) {
     const fiber = new MountFiber(this, target, options);
     this.app.scheduler.addFiber(fiber);
diff --git a/src/runtime/fibers.ts b/src/runtime/fibers.ts
index 13b2124d..72e5d52c 100644
--- a/src/runtime/fibers.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/fibers.ts
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ export class RootFiber extends Fiber {
   }
 }
 
-type Position = "first-child" | "last-child";
+type Position = "first-child" | "last-child" | "attach";
 
 export interface MountOptions {
   position?: Position;
diff --git a/src/runtime/hooks.ts b/src/runtime/hooks.ts
index 2741b06a..c85fe697 100644
--- a/src/runtime/hooks.ts
+++ b/src/runtime/hooks.ts
@@ -136,3 +136,20 @@ export function useExternalListener(
   onMounted(() => target.addEventListener(eventName, boundHandler, eventParams));
   onWillUnmount(() => target.removeEventListener(eventName, boundHandler, eventParams));
 }
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// useAttachedEl
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * The purpose of this hook is to allow attached components to get a reference to
+ * the element they have been attached on.
+ */
+export function useAttachedEl(): HTMLElement {
+  const node = getCurrent();
+  const el = node.app._lastRootEl as HTMLElement;
+  if (!el) {
+    throw new Error("useAttachedEl can only be called with component that are attached");
+  }
+  return el;
+}
diff --git a/tests/compiler/inline_expressions.test.ts b/tests/compiler/inline_expressions.test.ts
index ab00a2b0..807a90f3 100644
--- a/tests/compiler/inline_expressions.test.ts
+++ b/tests/compiler/inline_expressions.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { compileExpr, tokenize } from "../../src/compiler/inline_expressions";
+import { compileExpr, tokenize } from "../../src/common/inline_expressions";
 
 describe("tokenizer", () => {
   test("simple tokens", () => {
diff --git a/tests/components/__snapshots__/lifecycle.test.ts.snap b/tests/components/__snapshots__/lifecycle.test.ts.snap
index 516c6a22..a5b31073 100644
--- a/tests/components/__snapshots__/lifecycle.test.ts.snap
+++ b/tests/components/__snapshots__/lifecycle.test.ts.snap
@@ -332,6 +332,31 @@ exports[`lifecycle hooks lifecycle semantics, part 3 1`] = `
 }"
 `;
 
+exports[`lifecycle hooks lifecycle semantics, part 3 3`] = `
+"function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
+) {
+  let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
+  const comp1 = app.createComponent(\`GrandChild\`, true, false, false, []);
+  
+  return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
+    return comp1({}, key + \`__1\`, node, this, null);
+  }
+}"
+`;
+
+exports[`lifecycle hooks lifecycle semantics, part 3 4`] = `
+"function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
+) {
+  let { text, createBlock, list, multi, html, toggler, comment } = bdom;
+  
+  let block1 = createBlock(\`<div/>\`);
+  
+  return function template(ctx, node, key = \\"\\") {
+    return block1();
+  }
+}"
+`;
+
 exports[`lifecycle hooks lifecycle semantics, part 4 1`] = `
 "function anonymous(app, bdom, helpers
 ) {
diff --git a/tests/components/attached_components.test.ts b/tests/components/attached_components.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4725a891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/attached_components.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,258 @@
+import { Component, markup, mount, useState, xml } from "../../src";
+import { useAttachedEl } from "../../src/runtime/hooks";
+import { makeTestFixture, nextTick, steps, useLogLifecycle } from "../helpers";
+
+let fixture: HTMLElement;
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  fixture = makeTestFixture();
+});
+
+describe("basics", () => {
+  test("can attach an empty component", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div>hello</div>";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      setup() {
+        useLogLifecycle();
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(steps.splice(0)).toMatchInlineSnapshot(`
+      Array [
+        "Test:setup",
+        "Test:willStart",
+        "Test:willRender",
+        "Test:rendered",
+        "Test:mounted",
+      ]
+    `);
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe("<div>hello</div>");
+  });
+
+  test("attaching a component with a template throws", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div>hello</div>";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static template = xml`hello`;
+    }
+
+    let error: Error | null = null;
+    try {
+      await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    } catch (e: any) {
+      error = e;
+    }
+    expect(error!.message).toBe("Cannot attach a component with a template");
+
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe("<div>hello</div>");
+  });
+
+  test("can attach a component with simple dynamic content", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div><p>hello</p></div>";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "p:t-att-a": "value",
+      };
+      value: string = "";
+      setup() {
+        this.value = "b";
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe('<div><p a="b">hello</p></div>');
+  });
+
+  test("useAttachedEl returns the attached element", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div><p>hello</p></div>";
+    let el: any = null;
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      setup() {
+        el = useAttachedEl();
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(el).toBe(fixture);
+  });
+
+  test("useAttachedEl throws if component is not attached", async () => {
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static template = xml`hello`;
+      setup() {
+        useAttachedEl();
+      }
+    }
+
+    let error: any = null;
+    try {
+      await mount(Test, fixture);
+    } catch (_e: any) {
+      error = _e;
+    }
+
+    expect(error.message).toBe("useAttachedEl can only be called with component that are attached");
+  });
+
+  test("multiple dynamic attribute", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div><p>hello</p></div>";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "p:t-att-a": "value",
+        "p:t-att-b": "value + 'coucou'",
+      };
+      value: string = "";
+      setup() {
+        this.value = "b";
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe('<div><p a="b" b="bcoucou">hello</p></div>');
+  });
+
+  test("attrs can target root", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<p>hello</p>";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "root:t-att-a": "value",
+      };
+      value: string = "";
+      setup() {
+        this.value = "b";
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.outerHTML).toBe('<div a="b"><p>hello</p></div>');
+  });
+
+  test("dynamic attribute is updated on rerender", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div><p>hello</p></div>";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "p:t-att-a": "state.value",
+      };
+      state: any;
+      setup() {
+        this.state = useState({ value: 1 });
+      }
+    }
+
+    const test = await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe('<div><p a="1">hello</p></div>');
+    test.state.value = 2;
+    await nextTick();
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe('<div><p a="2">hello</p></div>');
+  });
+
+  test("t-on-click, basic", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div><p>hello</p></div>";
+
+    let ev: Event | null = null;
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "p:t-att-a": "state.value",
+        "p:t-on-click": "onClick",
+      };
+      state: any;
+      setup() {
+        this.state = useState({ value: 1 });
+      }
+      onClick(_ev: any) {
+        ev = _ev;
+        this.state.value = 2;
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe('<div><p a="1">hello</p></div>');
+    fixture.querySelector("p")!.click();
+    expect(ev).toBeInstanceOf(Event);
+    await nextTick();
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe('<div><p a="2">hello</p></div>');
+  });
+
+  test("t-on-click, target root element", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "hello";
+    let click = false;
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "root:t-on-click": "onClick",
+      };
+      onClick() {
+        click = true;
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    fixture.click();
+    expect(click).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test("t-out, basic", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "<div><p>hello</p></div>";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "p:t-out": "state.value",
+      };
+      state: any;
+      setup() {
+        this.state = useState({ value: 1 });
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe("<div><p>1</p></div>");
+  });
+
+  test("t-out, on root", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = "hello";
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "root:t-out": "state.value",
+      };
+      state: any;
+      setup() {
+        this.state = useState({ value: 1 });
+      }
+    }
+
+    expect(fixture.outerHTML).toBe("<div>hello</div>");
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.outerHTML).toBe("<div>1</div>");
+  });
+
+  test("t-out, with markup", async () => {
+    fixture.innerHTML = `<p class="p1">hello</p><p class="p2">hello</p>`;
+
+    class Test extends Component {
+      static dynamicContent = {
+        "p.p1:t-out": "value1",
+        "p.p2:t-out": "value2",
+      };
+
+      value1: any;
+      value2: any;
+      setup() {
+        this.value1 = "<div>value1</div>";
+        this.value2 = markup("<div>value2</div>");
+      }
+    }
+
+    await mount(Test, fixture, { position: "attach" });
+    expect(fixture.innerHTML).toBe(
+      `<p class="p1">&lt;div&gt;value1&lt;/div&gt;</p><p class="p2"><div>value2</div></p>`
+    );
+  });
+});