# Style guide This page lists specific formatting instructions for `tldr` pages. ## Layout The basic format of each page should match the following template and have at most 8 command examples: ```md # command name > Short, snappy command description. > Preferably one line; two are acceptable if necessary. > More information: . - Code description: `command_name options` - Code description: `command_name options` ... ``` Example: ```md # krita > A sketching and painting program designed for digital artists. > See also: `gimp`. > More information: . - Start Krita: `krita` - Open specific files: `krita {{path/to/image1 path/to/image2 ...}}` - Start without a splash screen: `krita --nosplash` - Start with a specific workspace: `krita --workspace {{Animation}}` - Start in fullscreen mode: `krita --fullscreen` ``` > [!NOTE] > The help page can be any documentation/project/tutorial page, not just a man page, > but documentation pages are preferred. There is a linter that enforces the format above. It is run automatically on every pull request, but you may install it to test your contributions locally before submitting them: ```sh npm install --global tldr-lint tldr-lint path/to/tldr_page.md ``` For other ways to use `tldr-lint`, such as linting an entire directory, check out (what else!) [`tldr tldr-lint`](https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr/blob/main/pages/common/tldr-lint.md). Alternatively, you can also use its alias `tldrl`. Your client may be able to preview a page locally using the `--render` flag: ```sh tldr --render path/to/tldr_page.md ``` ### Aliases If a command can be called with alternative names (like `vim` can be called by `vi`), alias pages can be created to point the user to the original command name. ```md # command_name > This command is an alias of `original-command-name`. > More information: . - View documentation for the original command: `tldr original_command_name` ``` Example: ```md # vi > This command is an alias of `vim`. - View documentation for the original command: `tldr vim` ``` - Pre-translated alias page templates can be found [here](https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr/blob/main/contributing-guides/translation-templates/alias-pages.md). ## Option syntax - Use GNU-style **long options** (like `--help` rather than `-h`) when they are cross-platform compatible (intended to work the same across multiple platforms). - In other cases, use short options (like `-h`). - Prefer using a space instead of the equals sign (`=`) to separate options from their arguments (i.e. use `--opt arg` instead of `--opt=arg`), unless the program does not support it. ## Placeholder syntax User-provided values should use the `{{placeholder}}` syntax in order to allow `tldr` clients to highlight them. Keep the following guidelines in mind when choosing placeholders: ### Naming - Use short but descriptive placeholders, such as `{{path/to/source_file}}` or `{{path/to/wallet.txt}}`. - Use [`snake_case`](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/snake_case) for multi-word placeholders. - Use a generic placeholder rather than an actual value where a generic placeholder is available (but there is an exception to this listed below). For example, use `iostat {{1..infinity}}` rather than `iostat {{2}}`. - If there are several consecutive placeholders of the same type which don't allow adding arbitrary text in them (ranges), then instead of generic placeholders use descriptive ones. For example prefer `input swipe {{x_position}} {{y_position}} {{x_position}} {{y_position}} {{seconds}}` instead of `input swipe {{-infinity..infinity}} {{-infinity..infinity}} {{-infinity..infinity}} {{-infinity..infinity}} {{1..infinity}}`. ### Paths - Use `{{filename}}` when just file name is expected. - For any reference to paths of files or directories, use the format `{{path/to/}}`, except when the location is implicit. - When the path cannot be relative, but has to start at the root of the filesystem, prefix it with a slash, such as `get {{/path/to/remote_file}}`. - In case of a possible reference both to a file or a directory, use `{{path/to/file_or_directory}}`. ### Extensions - If a particular extension is expected for the file, append it. For example, `unrar x {{path/to/compressed.rar}}`. - In case a generic extension is needed, use `{{.ext}}`, but **only** if an extension is required. For instance, in `find.md`'s example "Find files by extension" (`find {{path/to/root}} -name '{{*.ext}}'`) using `{{*.ext}}` explains the command without being unnecessarily specific; while in `wc -l {{path/to/file}}` using `{{path/to/file}}` (without extension) is sufficient. ### Grouping placeholders - If a command can take 0 or more arguments of the same kind, use an ellipsis: `{{placeholder1 placeholder2 ...}}`. For instance, if multiple paths are expected `{{path/to/directory1 path/to/directory2 ...}}` can be used. - If a command can take 0 or more arguments of different kinds, use an ellipsis: `{{placeholder1|placeholder2|...}}`. If there are more than 5 possible values use `|...` after the last item. - It's impossible to restrict the minimum or (and) maximum placeholder count via `ellipsis`. It's up to the program to decide how to handle duplicating values, provided syntax tells no info about whether items are mutually exclusive or not. ### Special cases - If a command performs irreversible changes to a file system or devices, write every example in a way that cannot be copy pasted thoughtlessly. For example, instead of `ddrescue --force --no-scrape /dev/sda /dev/sdb` write `ddrescue --force --no-scrape {{/dev/sdX}} {{/dev/sdY}}` and use the `{{/dev/sdXY}}` placeholder for *block devices* instead of `/dev/sda1`. In general, placeholders should make it as intuitive as possible to figure out how to use the command and fill it in with values. Technical wording on description lines should use the `backtick` syntax. Use backticks on the following: - Paths, e.g. `package.json`, `/etc/package.json`. - Extensions, e.g. `.dll`. - Commands, e.g. `ls`. ## Descriptions - Avoid using the page title in the description (e.g. use `A sketching and painting program designed for digital artists` instead of `Krita is a sketching and painting program designed for digital artists`) unless the program name differs from the executable name (e.g. `rg` and Ripgrep). - Avoid mentioning that the program is used on the command-line (e.g. use `Ripgrep is a recursive line-oriented search tool` instead of `Ripgrep is a recursive line-oriented CLI search tool`). ### Imperative Mood - **All descriptions must be concise and phrased in the imperative mood.** - This also applies to all translations by default unless otherwise specified in the language-specific section below. - For example, when writing documentation for `cd`, a tool to check out and work on a specific directory in the Terminal or Command Prompt, **do not** write a lengthy description such as: ```md > `cd` is a system tool, available in Windows, macOS, and Linux, to check out a specific directory to get things done in the Command Prompt, Terminal, and PowerShell. ``` It should instead be simplified to make it easier for everyone to read: ```md > Change the current working directory. ``` If you are afraid the commands may differ between platforms or operating systems (e.g. Windows vs macOS), most [tldr pages clients](https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr/wiki/tldr-pages-clients) will choose the most suitable version of the command. In this case, the information of the Windows version of `cd` (stored in `pages/windows/cd.md`) will be displayed by default to Windows users, and a generic/common version (stored in `pages/common/cd.md`) will be displayed for Linux, macOS, and other platforms. When writing descriptions for command examples, **check for any grammatical errors**. `Go to the specified directory` is preferred instead of: - `Going to the specified directory` (should not be in present participle form) - `This command will go to the specified directory` (it is clear that this example works for *this* comment) - `Let's go to the specified directory!` - `Directory change` (use the active form instead of passive, if possible) For instance, instead of `Listing all files:`, `List all files:` can be be used as the example's description below: ```md - Listing all files: `ls` ``` ## Serial Comma - When declaring a list of 3 or more items, use a [serial comma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma), also known as the Oxford comma, since omitting it can create ambiguity. > Delete the Git branches, tags and remotes. The example above does not use a serial comma, so this could mean one of two things: - Delete the Git branches named `tags` and `remotes`. - Delete all of the following: Git branches, Git tags, and Git remotes. This can be resolved by inserting a comma before the "and" or "or" in the final element in the list. > Delete the Git branches, tags, and remotes. ## More information links On the `More information` line, prefer linking to the author's provided documentation. When not available, use as the default fallback. ## Language-Specific Rules ### Chinese-Specific Rules When Chinese words, Latin words and Arabic numerals are written in the same sentence, more attention must be paid to copywriting. The following guidelines are applied to Chinese (`zh`) and traditional Chinese (`zh_TW`) pages: 1. Place one space before/after English words and numbers. - For example, use `列出所有 docker 容器` rather than `列出所有docker容器`. - For example, use `宽度为 50 个字` rather than `宽度为50个字`. 2. Place one space between numbers and units **except** degrees and percentages. - For example, use `容量 50 MB` rather than `容量 50MB`. - For instances of degree and percentage, use `50°C` and `50%` rather than `50 °C` and `50 %`. 3. No additional spaces before/after full-width punctuations. - For example, use `开启 shell，进入交互模式` rather than `开启 shell ，进入交互模式` 4. Use full-width punctuations except for long Latin clauses. - For example, use `嗨，你好。` rather than `嗨, 你好.` 5. Use a half-width punctuation to end a sentence when the last character is half-width. - For example, use `将代码转化为 Python 3.` rather than `将代码转化为 Python 3。` 6. Use precise form for technical terms, and do not use unofficial Chinese abbreviations. - For example, use `Facebook` rather than `facebook`, `fb` or `脸书`. In order to maintain readability and normalization, please comply with the 6 rules above as much as possible when translating pages into Chinese. For more information and examples of Chinese-specific rules, check out [*Chinese Copywriting Guidelines*](https://github.com/sparanoid/chinese-copywriting-guidelines/blob/master/README.en.md). ### French-Specific Rules Example descriptions on pages in French must use the third person singular present indicative tense (présent de l'indicatif à la troisième personne du singulier). For example, use `Extrait une archive` rather than `Extraire une archive` or `Extrais une archive`.