How to use Story Validation Rules service in Composer
When enabled, story validation rules allow users to see errors and warnings their organization has set up via API for their content. This includes whether required fields are filled out or meet editorial standards (like having enough tags or appropriate headlines). The Story Validation Rules service also provides clear messages about the errors to fix and warnings to acknowledge before continuing.
Story Validation Rules displayed in Composer
There are two kinds of rules you can set up for users to follow:
Errors must be resolved before continuing.
Warnings can be acknowledged by the author and don't prevent saving or publishing.
Both help maintain consistent content quality without slowing down workflows unnecessarily and authors will see the rule name and a clear message on what needs to be fixed.
Setting up Story Validation Rules
Validation rules are set up through an API. See Validation Rules API for more information.
Story Validation Rules and Composer Settings
While you can set up similar requirements that you have set up in Composer Settings, Story Validation Rules differs in that it allows you to validate the quality of content, not just whether a field is filled or not.
Your team controls the rules: decide what to check and how strict it should be.
These rules give access to previously unmanaged settings in Composer and introduce new quality standards tailored to your newsroom.
Tip
The best practice is to only use story validation rules to enforce what you do not currently have in Composer Settings. For example, do not write a rule that requires headline to be filled out or description to be filled. Use story validation to require users to add an appropriate number of related stories
Examples:
Ensure a story has a minimum number of tags
Ensure a story has an appropriate number of headlines
Ensure a story has properly configured featured media before publishing
Any requirements for Save or Publish regardless of if they are from Story Validation service or Composer Settings are displayed when hovering over Save and Publish buttons inside Composer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and When will I see validation rules I set up?
Authors will see a list of errors and warnings when they attempt to publish. This feedback appears at the right time—during publishing or at custom workflow steps you define. The list displays to the user on hover of the Publish button in Composer.
Can I apply these rules to templates?
No, with the first release these rules apply to all stories and cannot currently be sectioned off on story templates.