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Avoid periods at the end of headings (EK00022)

Headings are labels, not sentences, so dropping the trailing period keeps your documentation headings clean and consistent.

Headings are labels, not sentences, so they read better without a terminal period across your documentation. EkLine flags a period at the end of a heading and suggests removing it (rule EK00022).

Why remove periods from headings in documentation?

Section titled “Why remove periods from headings in documentation?”

A trailing period turns a heading into something that looks like an unfinished sentence. Headings work as short labels that readers scan, and a period adds visual noise without adding meaning. Removing it keeps every heading on your page consistent and easier to skim.

EK00022 matches a period at the end of a heading and suggests the same heading without it.

  • Incorrect: Install the CLI.
  • Correct: Install the CLI
  • Incorrect: Configure your project.
  • Correct: Configure your project

Remove the period from the end of the heading. Keep the rest of the wording as it is.

No. A heading is a short label that readers scan, and a trailing period makes it look like an unfinished sentence.

EK00022 covers only a trailing period, while EK00023 covers any end punctuation, including question marks and colons.

PropertyValue
Rule IDEK00022
CategoryTitles and headings
Default severityWarning
Enabled by defaultNo

To keep a period in one heading, add an inline comment with a reason:

<!-- ekline-ignore-next-line EK00022 -- heading quotes a full sentence -->
## Read the notice "Back up your data first."

To disable the rule across your project, add it to the ignore list in your configuration file.

  • EK00023 — Avoid end punctuation in headings
  • EK00037 — Use sentence-style capitalization in headings