---
description: Enforce UI copy and text standards for rendered strings in components
paths:
  - '**/*.tsx'
  - '**/*.jsx'
  - '**/*.astro'
  - '**/*.html'
---

# UI copy standards

## Casing

- Use sentence case for all rendered UI text: headings, labels, nav items, tab titles, and dialog titles.
- Retain original casing for proper nouns and product names: `GitHub`, `macOS`, `TypeScript`.

## Punctuation

- Do not use em dashes (`—`). Use a comma or period, or restructure the sentence.
- Do not add punctuation to button labels or short action strings.

## Button copy

- Use imperative verbs for actions: `Save`, `Delete`, `Connect`, `Cancel`.
- Avoid padded phrasing: `Save` over `Save changes`, `Delete` over `Click to delete`.

## Error messages

- State what to do, not what went wrong: `Enter a valid email` over `Email is invalid`.
- Keep messages short and actionable.
- One sentence maximum.

## Placeholder text

- Show format examples over instructions: `name@example.com` over `Enter your email here`.
- Reserve instructions for labels or helper text below the input.