# Filters

Learn about Vale's rule filtering system.

The `--filter` CLI option allows you to report an arbitrary subset of your `.vale.ini` configuration.

![Filters](/files/a0b43ee1ce5d8531993ffa0c829f812015444f2d)

A filter is an [expression](https://expr-lang.org/docs/language-definition) targeting one of the following keys defined in the rule definition: `.Name`, `.Level`, `.Scope`, `.Message`, `.Description`, `.Extends`, or `.Link`.

## Saving filters

You can save a filter for reuse by storing it in `<StylesPath>/config/filters`. Then, you can reference it by name when using the `--filter` option:

```bash
$ vale --filter=headings.expr docs/
```

Where `headings.expr` is a file containing the filter expression, such as:

```tengo
"heading" in .Scope
```

## Examples

* Filter by `.Level` and `.Name`:

```tengo
.Level in ["error", "suggestion"] and .Name != "demo.Cap"
```

* Filter by `.Extends`:

```tengo
.Extends=="existence"
```

* Only run a specific rule:

```tengo
.Name=="demo.Cap"
```

See the [documentation](https://expr-lang.org/docs/language-definition#operators) for a list of all supported operators.

[Actions](/topics/actions.md) [Templates](/topics/templates.md)


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.vale.sh/topics/filters.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.