> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vale.sh/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vale.sh/formats/markdown.md).

# Markdown

Learn how Vale handles Markdown content.

[GitHub-Flavored Markdown](https://github.github.com/gfm) support is built in. The supported extensions are `.md`, `.mdown`, `.markdown`, and `.markdn`. [R Markdown](/formats/rmarkdown.md) is read the same way.

By default, Vale ignores:

* Indented blocks: Blocks starting with four or more spaces.
* Fenced blocks: Blocks surrounded by three or more backticks.
* Code spans: Text surrounded by backticks.
* Math: `$$…$$` blocks and `$x^2$` spans. See [Math](#math).
* URLs: See [URL handling](https://github.com/vale-cli/vale/issues/320) for more information.

## [Math](#math)

Both `$$…$$` display math and `$x^2$` inline math are ignored. Inline math follows Pandoc's delimiter rules, which are what tell an equation from a price: the opening `$` needs a non-space character to its right, and the closing `$` needs one to its left and no digit after it. So `$g_i = g(p)_i$` is math, while `It costs $5 and $10` stays prose and is linted as such.

A span may wrap onto the next line, but not past the end of its paragraph. Write `\$` for a literal dollar sign that would otherwise open one.

## [Comments](#comments)

Vale supports comment-based configuration in Markdown files:

* Turn Vale off entirely:

```html
<!-- vale off -->

This text will be ignored.

<!-- vale on -->
```

* Turn off a specific rule:

```html
<!-- vale Style.Redundancy = NO -->

This is some text ACT test

<!-- vale Style.Redundancy = YES -->
```

* Turn off specific match(es) within a rule:

```html
<!-- vale Style.Redundancy["ACT test","OTHER"] = NO -->

This is some text ACT test

<!-- vale Style.Redundancy["ACT test","OTHER"] = YES -->
```

* Turn on or off specific styles:

```html
<!-- vale StyleName1 = YES -->
<!-- vale StyleName2 = NO -->
```

* Set styles (enabling them and switching off any other styles):

```html
<!-- vale style = StyleName1 -->
<!-- vale styles = StyleName1, StyleName2 -->
```


---

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## Querying This Documentation
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Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

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```

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`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

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