Commit 367cd7d8 authored by Suzanne Selhorn's avatar Suzanne Selhorn Committed by Craig Norris

Changed "do" and "do not" to "use" and "instead of"

parent 02917968
......@@ -33,9 +33,14 @@ Try to avoid using **above** when referring to an example or table in a document
Do not use **above** when referring to versions of the product. Use [**later**](#later) instead.
- Do: In GitLab 14.4 and later...
- Do not: In GitLab 14.4 and above...
- Do not: In GitLab 14.4 and higher...
Use:
- In GitLab 14.4 and later...
Instead of:
- In GitLab 14.4 and above...
- In GitLab 14.4 and higher...
## access level
......@@ -56,9 +61,14 @@ To view the administrator access level, in the GitLab UI, go to the Admin Area a
An **administrator** is not a [role](#roles) or [permission](#permissions).
- Do: To do this thing, you must be an administrator.
- Do: To do this thing, you must have the administrator access level.
- Do not: To do this thing, you must have the Admin role.
Use:
- To do this thing, you must be an administrator.
- To do this thing, you must have the administrator access level.
Instead of:
- To do this thing, you must have the Admin role.
## Admin Area
......@@ -67,10 +77,16 @@ This area of the UI says **Admin Area** at the top of the page and on the menu.
## allow, enable
Try to avoid **allow** and **enable**, unless you are talking about security-related features. For example:
Try to avoid **allow** and **enable**, unless you are talking about security-related features.
Use:
- You can add a file to your repository.
Instead of:
- Do: Use this feature to create a pipeline.
- Do not: This feature allows you to create a pipeline.
- This feature allows you to add a file to your repository.
- This feature enables users to add files to their repository.
This phrasing is more active and is from the user perspective, rather than the person who implemented the feature.
[View details in the Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/a/allow-allows).
......@@ -126,8 +142,13 @@ Use **text box** to refer to the UI field. Do not use **field** or **box**. For
Don't use a descriptor with **button**.
- Do: Select **Run pipelines**.
- Do not: Select the **Run pipelines** button.
Use:
- Select **Run pipelines**.
Instead of:
- Select the **Run pipelines** button.
## cannot, can not
......@@ -194,8 +215,8 @@ When writing about the Developer role:
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a developer** to mean someone who is assigned the Developer
role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Developer role**.
- To describe a situation where the Developer role is the minimum required:
- Do: at least the Developer role
- Do not: the Developer role or higher
- Use: at least the Developer role
- Instead of: the Developer role or higher
Do not use **Developer permissions**. A user who is assigned the Developer role has a set of associated permissions.
......@@ -217,8 +238,13 @@ For example:
Use **earlier** when talking about version numbers.
- Do: In GitLab 14.1 and earlier.
- Do not: In GitLab 14.1 and lower.
Use:
- In GitLab 14.1 and earlier.
Instead of:
- In GitLab 14.1 and lower.
## easily
......@@ -254,8 +280,13 @@ Use lowercase for **epic board**.
Try to avoid **etc.**. Be as specific as you can. Do not use
[**and so on**](#and-so-on) as a replacement.
- Do: You can update objects, like merge requests and issues.
- Do not: You can update objects, like merge requests, issues, etc.
Use:
- You can update objects, like merge requests and issues.
Instead of:
- You can update objects, like merge requests, issues, etc.
## expand
......@@ -265,8 +296,13 @@ Use **expand** instead of **open** when you are talking about expanding or colla
Use **box** instead of **field** or **text box**.
- Do: In the **Variable name** box, enter `my text`.
- Do not: In the **Variable name** field, enter `my text`.
Use:
- In the **Variable name** box, enter `my text`.
Instead of:
- In the **Variable name** field, enter `my text`.
However, you can make an exception when you are writing a task and you need to refer to all
of the fields at once. For example:
......@@ -320,8 +356,8 @@ When writing about the Guest role:
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a guest** to mean someone who is assigned the Guest
role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Guest role**.
- To describe a situation where the Guest role is the minimum required:
- Do: at least the Guest role
- Do not: the Guest role or higher
- Use: at least the Guest role
- Instead of: the Guest role or higher
Do not use **Guest permissions**. A user who is assigned the Guest role has a set of associated permissions.
......@@ -337,16 +373,26 @@ Do not use **high availability** or **HA**. Instead, direct readers to the GitLa
Do not use **higher** when talking about version numbers.
- Do: In GitLab 14.4 and later...
- Do not: In GitLab 14.4 and higher...
- Do not: In GitLab 14.4 and above...
Use:
- In GitLab 14.4 and later...
Instead of:
- In GitLab 14.4 and higher...
- In GitLab 14.4 and above...
## hit
Don't use **hit** to mean **press**.
- Do: Press **ENTER**.
- Do not: Hit the **ENTER** button.
Use:
- Press **ENTER**.
Instead of:
- Hit the **ENTER** button.
## I
......@@ -395,9 +441,14 @@ Do not use:
Use **later** when talking about version numbers.
- Do: In GitLab 14.1 and later...
- Do not: In GitLab 14.1 and higher...
- Do not: In GitLab 14.1 and above...
Use:
- In GitLab 14.1 and later...
Instead of:
- In GitLab 14.1 and higher...
- In GitLab 14.1 and above...
## list
......@@ -412,8 +463,13 @@ Do not use **log in** or **log on**. Use [sign in](#sign-in) instead. If the use
Do not use **lower** when talking about version numbers.
- Do: In GitLab 14.1 and earlier.
- Do not: In GitLab 14.1 and lower.
Use:
- In GitLab 14.1 and earlier.
Instead of:
- In GitLab 14.1 and lower.
## Maintainer
......@@ -424,8 +480,8 @@ When writing about the Maintainer role:
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a maintainer** to mean someone who is assigned the Maintainer
role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Maintainer role**.
- To describe a situation where the Maintainer role is the minimum required:
- Do: at least the Maintainer role
- Do not: the Maintainer role or higher
- Use: at least the Maintainer role
- Instead of: the Maintainer role or higher
Do not use **Maintainer permissions**. A user who is assigned the Maintainer role has a set of associated permissions.
......@@ -468,8 +524,14 @@ Do not use **navigate**. Use **go** instead. For example:
Try to avoid **needs to**, because it's wordy. Avoid **should** when you can be more specific. If something is required, use **must**.
- Do: You must set the variable. Or: Set the variable.
- Do not: You need to set the variable.
Use:
- You must set the variable.
- Set the variable.
Instead of:
- You need to set the variable.
**Should** is acceptable for recommended actions or items, or in cases where an event may not
happen. For example:
......@@ -483,22 +545,37 @@ happen. For example:
Do not use **note that** because it's wordy.
- Do: You can change the settings.
- Do not: Note that you can change the settings.
Use:
- You can change the settings.
Instead of:
- Note that you can change the settings.
## on
When documenting how to select high-level UI elements, use the word **on**.
- Do: `On the left sidebar...`
Use:
- `On the left sidebar...`
Instead of:
- Do not: `From the left sidebar...` or `In the left sidebar...`
## once
The word **once** means **one time**. Don't use it to mean **after** or **when**.
- Do: When the process is complete...
- Do not: Once the process is complete...
Use:
- When the process is complete...
Instead of:
- Once the process is complete...
## only
......@@ -566,8 +643,8 @@ When writing about the Reporter role:
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a reporter** to mean someone who is assigned the Reporter
role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Reporter role**.
- To describe a situation where the Reporter role is the minimum required:
- Do: at least the Reporter role
- Do not: the Reporter role or higher
- Use: at least the Reporter role
- Instead of: the Reporter role or higher
Do not use **Reporter permissions**. A user who is assigned the Reporter role has a set of associated permissions.
......@@ -589,8 +666,13 @@ Use lowercase for **runners**. These are the agents that run CI/CD jobs. See als
Do not use **(s)** to make a word optionally plural. It can slow down comprehension. For example:
- Do: Select the jobs you want.
- Do not: Select the job(s) you want.
Use:
- Select the jobs you want.
Instead of:
- Select the job(s) you want.
If you can select multiples of something, then write the word as plural.
......@@ -612,7 +694,12 @@ into separate areas, refer to these areas as sections.
We often think of expandable/collapsible areas as **sections**. When you refer to expanding
or collapsing a section, don't include the word **section**.
- Do: Expand **Auto DevOps**.
Use:
- Expand **Auto DevOps**.
Instead of:
- Do not: Expand the **Auto DevOps** section.
## select
......@@ -645,8 +732,13 @@ Do not use **simply** or **simple**. If the user doesn't find the process to be
The word **since** indicates a timeframe. For example, **Since 1984, Bon Jovi has existed**. Don't use **since** to mean **because**.
- Do: Because you have the Developer role, you can delete the widget.
- Do not: Since you have the Developer role, you can delete the widget.
Use:
- Because you have the Developer role, you can delete the widget.
Instead of:
- Since you have the Developer role, you can delete the widget.
## slashes
......@@ -664,8 +756,13 @@ Use **subgroup** (no hyphen) instead of **sub-group**. ([Vale](../testing.md#val
Do not use **that** when describing a noun. For example:
- Do: The file you save...
- Do not: The file **that** you save...
Use:
- The file you save...
Instead of:
- The file **that** you save...
See also [this, these, that, those](#this-these-that-those).
......@@ -684,8 +781,13 @@ Use **text box** instead of **field** or **box** when referring to the UI elemen
Try to avoid **there is** and **there are**. These phrases hide the subject.
- Do: The bucket has holes.
- Do not: There are holes in the bucket.
Use:
- The bucket has holes.
Instead of:
- There are holes in the bucket.
## they
......@@ -697,17 +799,17 @@ a gender-neutral pronoun.
Always follow these words with a noun. For example:
- Do: **This setting** improves performance.
- Do not: **This** improves performance.
- Use: **This setting** improves performance.
- Instead of: **This** improves performance.
- Do: **These pants** are the best.
- Do not: **These** are the best.
- Use: **These pants** are the best.
- Instead of: **These** are the best.
- Do: **That droid** is the one you are looking for.
- Do not: **That** is the one you are looking for.
- Use: **That droid** is the one you are looking for.
- Instead of: **That** is the one you are looking for.
- Do: **Those settings** need to be configured. (Or even better, **Configure those settings.**)
- Do not: **Those** need to be configured.
- Use: **Those settings** need to be configured. (Or even better, **Configure those settings.**)
- Instead of: **Those** need to be configured.
## to-do item
......@@ -736,8 +838,13 @@ Do not use **useful**. If the user doesn't find the process to be useful, we los
When possible, address the reader directly, instead of calling them **users**.
Use the [second person](#you-your-yours), **you**, instead.
- Do: You can configure a pipeline.
- Do not: Users can configure a pipeline.
Use:
- You can configure a pipeline.
Instead of:
- Users can configure a pipeline.
## utilize
......@@ -756,8 +863,13 @@ Do not use Latin abbreviations. Use **with**, **through**, or **by using** inste
Try to avoid **we** and focus instead on how the user can accomplish something in GitLab.
- Do: Use widgets when you have work you want to organize.
- Do not: We created a feature for you to add widgets.
Use:
- Use widgets when you have work you want to organize.
Instead of:
- We created a feature for you to add widgets.
One exception: You can use **we recommend** instead of **it is recommended** or **GitLab recommends**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`SubstitutionSuggestions.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/SubstitutionSuggestions.yml))
......@@ -770,8 +882,13 @@ Do not use **whitelist**. Another option is **allowlist**. ([Vale](../testing.md
Use **you**, **your**, and **yours** instead of [**the user** and **the user's**](#user-users).
Documentation should be from the [point of view](https://design.gitlab.com/content/voice-tone#point-of-view) of the reader.
- Do: You can configure a pipeline.
- Do not: Users can configure a pipeline.
Use:
- You can configure a pipeline.
Instead of:
- Users can configure a pipeline.
<!-- vale on -->
<!-- markdownlint-enable -->
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