Enhancing Spell Checks with Accept and Reject Lists

The default Vale setup already includes a basic spell-checking dictionary, so you can use it to catch spelling errors. Additionally, you can customize this spell check with accept and reject lists for more refined control.

---

Configure Vale for the Basic Spell Check

To use Vale's built-in spelling rules, create a .vale.ini file in your project folder with the following content

MinAlertLevel = suggestion

[*.md]
BasedOnStyles = Vale

This enables spell checking for all .md files using Vale’s built-in dictionary.

Create the Markdown Document and Spell Check

Step 1: We'll create a document with intentional spelling mistakes:

Java Script is a programming languge.

Our softwre provides costome analytic solutions.

With our platform, you can build your own analytic solutions specific to your business needs.

We use HTTPs protocol for secure communication.

We used React to develop the frontend of Superapplicationexample.

Step 2: Run the sample.md file using Vale: vale sample.md

The detected spelling mistakes are displayed:

However, notice that "Java Script," "analytic solutions," and "HTTPs" aren't flagged, even though they should be corrected to "JavaScript," "analytics solutions," and "HTTPS." To ensure these terms are properly flagged, we'll create a reject list.

Additionally, "Superapplicationexample" is a product name and shouldn't be considered as an error. We'll create an accept list to allow this term.

Create the Accept and Reject Lists

Inside your project directory, create the directory structure: styles\config\vocabularies\myterms

Add "Java Script," "analytic solutions," and "HTTPs" to the reject list so they are marked as incorrect. Create a reject.txt file in the mytermsdirectory and add these terms:

Java Script
analytic solutions
HTTPs

Add "Superapplicationexample" to the accept list to ensure it's recognized as valid. Create an accept.txt file in the myterms directory and add this term:

Superapplicationexample

This approach refines Vale's spell-checking by explicitly defining acceptable and unacceptable terms.

Update the .ini File

Update the .vale.ini file to include the styles folder and the custom vocabulary folder:

StylesPath = styles
Vocab = myterms
MinAlertLevel = suggestion

[*.md]
BasedOnStyles = Vale

Vocab = myterms matches the folder name you created for your vocabulary. You can name your custom vocabulary folder anything you like; in this case it's myterms.

Run Vale

Again, run Vale against your sample document: vale sample.md

You should see:

• Accepted term (Superapplicationexample) will NOT be flagged.
• Rejected terms (Java Script, analytic solutions, HTTPs) will be flagged as errors.

Fix Sentences Flagged by Vale

The writer can revise sentences as follows:

Original Sentence (Flagged by Vale)	Revised Sentence
Java Script is a programming languge.	JavaScript is a programming language.
Our softwre provides costome analytic solutions.	Our software provides custom analytics solutions.
With our platform, you can build your own analytic solutions specific to your business needs.	With our platform, you can build your own analytics solutions specific to your business needs.
We use HTTPs protocol for secure communication.	We use HTTPS protocol for secure communication.
We used React to develop the frontend of Superapplicationexample.	No changes needed

Well done! You've learned how to use Vale's default spell checker and customize accepted and rejected words, allowing you to fine-tune writing standards.