Page collections and `order_manual`

In the docs there's mention of an order_manual setting, but the only example I can find is of modular pages. What I want to accomplish is "sticky" posts. Does anyone have some examples of using order_manual? I need to find out whether I can use it as is or if I need to submit a PR. Thanks!

I have the exact same question;
I have tried the order_manual option, so in the backend the user can order by hand,
but how do i get these children in the front-end?
'@self.children' does not work. Thanks!

As I remember you can see the changes in the navbar

it really is most useful with a set list of child pages, like a modular homepage. Then you can specify the slugs in an array in the exact order you wish to display them. This is used in the onpage skeleton for example.