Markdown Structure Validation

Enforce consistent markdown structure across all vault content.

When to Use This Skill

Activate when you need to:

• Create new markdown documents
• Validate document structure
• Fix structural issues
• Ensure consistent formatting

Core Structure Rules

1. Frontmatter Positioning

Single YAML block at top, blank line after:

✅ CORRECT:
---
title: Document Title
created: 2025-10-31
tags:
  - tag1
---

## First Section Header
Content starts here...

❌ INCORRECT:
---
title: Document Title
---
## First Section (no blank line)

❌ INCORRECT:
## Title

---
frontmatter: here
---
(frontmatter not at top)

Critical Rules:

• One YAML block only
• Must be first thing in file
• Blank line after closing ---
• No content before first heading

Note: This skill validates frontmatter POSITION (where it goes in the document). For frontmatter CONTENT (properties, values, formatting), use obsidian-yaml-frontmatter skill.

2. Heading Hierarchy

Start with H2, no H1 duplication:

✅ CORRECT:
---
title: Document Title
---

## Introduction
Content...

### Subsection
Content...

❌ INCORRECT:
# Document Title (duplicates frontmatter title)

## Section

Hierarchy Rules:

• Use H2 (##) for main sections
• Use H3 (###) for subsections
• Use H4 (####) sparingly
• Don't skip levels (H2 → H4)

3. Content Organization

Summary-first structure:

✅ CORRECT:
---
frontmatter
---

## Summary
Overview of key points...

## Main Content
Detailed content...

## Related Topics
Links and connections...

❌ INCORRECT:
---
frontmatter
---

This is content without a heading.

## First Section

4. Quote Block Formatting

Blockquotes with attribution:

✅ CORRECT:
> "Quote text here" - Speaker/Context

> "Knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch."
> - Ivern Ball

❌ INCORRECT:
"Quote text" (not in blockquote)
> Quote without attribution

Structure Validation Workflow

Step 1: Check Frontmatter

Verify:
- [ ] Single YAML block at top
- [ ] Blank line after closing ---
- [ ] All required properties present
- [ ] Consistent property names

Step 2: Check Heading Hierarchy

Verify:
- [ ] No H1 after frontmatter (except special cases)
- [ ] Main sections use H2
- [ ] Subsections use H3
- [ ] No skipped levels
- [ ] Logical organization

Step 3: Check Content Organization

Verify:
- [ ] No content before first heading
- [ ] Summary/overview section first
- [ ] Sections follow logical order
- [ ] Proper quote formatting

Step 4: Content-Type Specific

Check content follows appropriate template structure:
- [ ] Journal: H1 title, standard sections
- [ ] Roundup: Opening quote(s), structured headers
- [ ] Events: Executive Summary, Key Takeaways, Next Actions
- [ ] Clippings: Summary first, then detailed sections

Quality Checklist

Before completing structure validation:

• Single YAML frontmatter at top
• Blank line after frontmatter
• No content before first heading
• Heading hierarchy correct (H2 → H3 → H4)
• Quote blocks properly formatted
• Summary/overview section present
• Sections in logical order
• Template structure followed for content type