---
description: Exxat DS copy discipline. Omit decorative descriptions by default. Never use dash punctuation in user-visible copy (titles, body, tooltips, empty cells).
alwaysApply: true
tags: [copy, voice]
seeAlso:
  - docs/exxat-ds/voice-and-tone.md
  - docs/exxat-ds/blueprints/page-header.md
  - .cursor/rules/exxat-page-header-actions.mdc
---

# Exxat DS: copy discipline

Agents invent filler prose. This rule stops two recurring failures: **decorative descriptions** and **dash punctuation** in user-visible strings.

## MUST NOT: decorative descriptions

Do **not** invent or paste marketing/helper blurbs into:

- `PageHeader` / hub header `description` or `subtitle` (unless the brief asks for **meta**: count, freshness, record ID)
- Card / section / empty-state / dialog / sheet intros that only restate the title
- Form field helper text that is not a **format or validation rule**
- Tooltips that repeat the visible label

**Default:** title (and actions) only. Omit `description` / `subtitle` / helper props.

| Invented (ban) | Allowed when needed |
|---|---|
| "Set up, distribute, review, and grade course-related activities." | `247 courses · Updated 2m ago` |
| "Manage all people in this program." under **Students** | omit subtitle |
| Tooltip "Export" on a button already labelled Export | omit tooltip, or add only the **Kbd** chord |

## MUST NOT: dashes in user-visible copy

Do **not** put these characters in **any** user-visible string (title, body, banner, dialog, empty state, tooltip, aria-label, placeholder, table cell, KPI caption):

| Character | Name | Example ban |
|---|---|---|
| U+2014 em dash | em dash | `Read-only` + em dash + `term ended.` |
| U+2013 en dash | en dash | date ranges joined only by en dash; write `12/14/2025 to 12/20/2025` |
| ASCII `-` as pause, separator, or empty | hyphen-minus | `Status - Active`, cell value `-` |

**Rewrite instead:** period, comma, colon, or a second short sentence. For missing values use `None`, leave blank, or a domain empty glyph. **Never** a lone `-`.

### Allowed hyphens (not punctuation)

- Compound modifiers in English: `real-time`, `read-only`, `icon-only`
- Record / product IDs: `STU-2026-014`, `P-2026-014`
- Code, CSS, file paths, URLs (not shown as product copy)

## MUST

1. Prefer **no** description over a vague one.
2. If meta is required under a title, keep it to **one line** of facts (count, ID, freshness), not a job description of the page.
3. Before shipping strings, scan for em dash, en dash, and lone `-` placeholders.

## Authoritative detail

- [`docs/exxat-ds/voice-and-tone.md`](../../docs/exxat-ds/voice-and-tone.md) (voice, empty states, KPI captions)
- [`docs/exxat-ds/blueprints/page-header.md`](../../docs/exxat-ds/blueprints/page-header.md) (subtitle = meta only)