info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
description: 'Writing styles, markup, formatting, and other standards for GitLab Documentation.'
---
# A-Z word list
To help ensure consistency in the documentation, follow this guidance.
Do not use. Another option is **denylist**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))
Do not use when talking about the product or its features. The documentation describes the product as it is today. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`CurrentStatus.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/CurrentStatus.yml))
- 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:
- Avoid: **the Developer role or higher**
- Use instead: **at least the Developer role**
Do not use **Developer permissions**. A user who is assigned the Developer role has a set of associated permissions.
## disable
See [the Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/d/disable-disabled) for guidance.
Use **inactive** or **off** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionAbleism.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionAbleism.yml))
Do not use Latin abbreviations. Use **for example**, **such as**, **for instance**, or **like** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`LatinTerms.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/LatinTerms.yml))
Do not use **e-mail** with a hyphen. When plural, use **emails** or **email messages**.
## enable
See [the Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/e/enable-enables) for guidance.
Use **active** or **on** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionAbleism.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionAbleism.yml))
Try to avoid. Be as specific as you can. Do not use **and so on** as a replacement.
- Avoid: You can update objects, like merge requests, issues, etc.
- Use instead: You can update objects, like merge requests and issues.
## foo
Do not use in product documentation. You can use it in our API and contributor documentation, but try to use a clearer and more meaningful example instead.
When possible, use present tense instead. For example, use `after you execute this command, GitLab displays the result` instead of `after you execute this command, GitLab will display the result`. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`FutureTense.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/FutureTense.yml))
Do not make possessive (GitLab's). This guidance follows [GitLab Trademark Guidelines](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/corporate-marketing/brand-activation/trademark-guidelines/).
Title case. This is the product you install. See also [runners](#runner-runners) and [this issue](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/233529).
Do not use. Instead, direct readers to the GitLab [reference architectures](../../../administration/reference_architectures/index.md) for information about configuring GitLab for handling greater amounts of users.
Do not use first-person singular. Use **you**, **we**, or **us** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`FirstPerson.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/FirstPerson.yml))
## i.e.
Do not use Latin abbreviations. Use **that is** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`LatinTerms.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/LatinTerms.yml))
Do not use. Use **to** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`Wordy.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/Wordy.yml))
## issue
Lowercase.
## issue board
Lowercase.
## issue weights
Lowercase.
## job
Do not use **build** to be synonymous with **job**. A job is defined in the `.gitlab-ci.yml` file and runs as part of a pipeline.
If you want to use **CI** with the word **job**, use **CI/CD job** rather than **CI job**.
## later
Use when talking about version numbers.
- Avoid: In GitLab 14.1 and higher.
- Use instead: In GitLab 14.1 and later.
## log in, log on
Do not use. Use [sign in](#sign-in) instead. If the user interface has **Log in**, you can use it.
- 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:
- Avoid: **the Maintainer role or higher**
- Use instead: **at least the Maintainer role**
Do not use **Maintainer permissions**. A user who is assigned the Maintainer role has a set of associated permissions.
## mankind
Do not use. Use **people** or **humanity** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionGender.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionGender.yml))
Do not use. Use words like **workforce** or **GitLab team members**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionGender.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionGender.yml))
## master
Do not use. Options are **primary** or **main**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))
**Might** means something has the probability of occurring. **May** gives permission to do something. Consider **can** instead of **may**.
## me, myself, mine
Do not use first-person singular. Use **you**, **we**, or **us** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`FirstPerson.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/FirstPerson.yml))
Do not use roles and permissions interchangeably. Each user is assigned a role. Each role includes a set of permissions.
## please
Do not use. For details, see the [Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/p/please).
## profanity
Do not use. Doing so may negatively affect other users and contributors, which is contrary to the GitLab value of [Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/values/#diversity-inclusion).
Lowercase. These are the agents that run CI/CD jobs. See also [GitLab Runner](#gitlab-runner) and [this issue](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/233529).
Do not use. Use **check for completeness** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionAbleism.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionAbleism.yml))
Do not use when talking about increasing GitLab performance for additional users. The words scale or scaling are sometimes acceptable, but references to increasing GitLab performance for additional users should direct readers to the GitLab [reference architectures](../../../administration/reference_architectures/index.md) page.
Instead of **and/or**, use **or** or re-write the sentence. This rule also applies to other slashes, like **follow/unfollow**. Some exceptions (like **CI/CD**) are allowed.
## slave
Do not use. Another option is **secondary**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))
Do not use Latin abbreviations. Use **with**, **through**, or **by using** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`LatinTerms.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/LatinTerms.yml))
Try to avoid **we** and focus instead on how the user can accomplish something in GitLab.
- Avoid: We created a feature for you to add widgets.
- Instead, use: Use widgets when you have work you want to organize.
One exception: You can use **we recommend** instead of **it is recommended** or **GitLab recommends**.
## whitelist
Do not use. Another option is **allowlist**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))