---
title: Simple English
description: Opt-in rules for clear technical prose inspired by ASD-STE100.
icon: book-open
---

The repository includes an opt-in `simple-english` rule package for technical
documentation. It is inspired by the
[SimpleEnglish skill](https://github.com/AminBlg/SimpleEnglish/tree/main/skills/simple-english):
short sentences, direct instructions, simple verb forms, plain words, and
consistent terminology.

The package is external rather than builtin because its limits and modal rules
are stricter than lawlint's defaults. It is a good fit for READMEs, runbooks,
API guides, and maintenance instructions. It is not a default style for legal
or contract drafting.

## Enable it

From the repository root, or with an installed package:

```sh
lawlint --rule-dir packages/simple-english README.md
```

To enable it for a project, add the package directory to `.lawlint/config.json`:

```json
{
  "ruleDirs": ["packages/simple-english"]
}
```

The package uses a **pragmatic** mode by default. It keeps domain terms such
as `webhook`, `commit`, and `endpoint`, while flagging avoidable ambiguity and
padding. Use it in **strict** projects that name STE or ASD-STE100 compliance,
but remember that the official dictionary and a human review are still
required.

## Core overlap

The package does not duplicate `core/no-semicolons`. Consider disabling
`core/sentence-length` when you use the package: core allows 45 words, while
this package uses the STE descriptive limit of 25 words. Procedural text has a
20-word limit, which the sentence rule cannot classify automatically.

Some plain-word advice can produce related findings from
`core/prefer-short-words` or `core/prefer-concise-phrases`. Review the combined
output when both packages are enabled.

## Test the package

```sh
lawlint rules test packages/simple-english --offline
```

This validates every hard rule's before/after examples without loading a
judge. Inferential rules require `--judge` to evaluate their examples.

This package is an unofficial aid. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by
ASD or STEMG. ASD-STE100 is an ASD trademark. Full compliance requires the
official dictionary from [asd-ste100.org](https://asd-ste100.org/).