# How to use Story Validation Rules service in Composer

Source: https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/composer/getting-started-with-composer/how-to-use-story-validation-rules-service-in-composer.html

When enabled, story validation rules let users 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 Arc XP 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.

![Screenshot_2026-01-29_at_10_33_30_AM.png](https://docs.arcxp.com/images/learning-center/image/img-778207d24b9842fb39d52d833b012d36.png)

_Example warnings displayed on Save_

_Example errors displayed on Publish_

## Setting up Story Validation Rules

Validation rules are set up through an API. See [Validation Rules API](https://dev.arcxp.com/api/content-administration/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 lets you 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 the Story Validation Rules 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 appears 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.