# Formatting rules for user-facing reference files

These rules apply to all `.md` files the user may view on mobile (Telegram preview, file open, email attachment).

## ASCII-only status indicators

Do NOT use emoji for status indicators in files the user reads. Common mobile viewers misinterpret UTF-8 emoji sequences as Latin-1 characters, producing garbled text like `ðŸ”´` instead of `:red_circle:`.

Use these replacements instead:

- :red_circle: -> [HIGH]
- :yellow_circle: -> [MED] or [WARN]
- :green_circle: -> [OK] or [LOW]
- :check_mark_button: -> [OK]
- :check_mark: -> [OK]
- :cross_mark: -> [FAIL]
- :globe_with_meridians: -> [INFO]
- :cyclone: -> [PENDING]
- :right_arrow: -> ->
- em dash -- -> --
- times sign x -> x

## No pipe tables in summaries

Markdown pipe tables (`| col | col |`) are unreadable on small phone screens. Use bullet lists or comma-separated inline format instead:

**Bad:**
```
| ID | Issue | Status |
|----|-------|--------|
| 1  | Caddyfile | Fixed |
```

**Good:**
```
Fixed:
- 1 Caddyfile -> Fixed
- 2 Backups -> Fixed
```

## Keep it pure ASCII

Any non-ASCII character is a risk. Stick to `[0-9A-Za-z]`, hyphens, underscores, periods, and standard punctuation. Smart quotes, long dashes, mathematical symbols, and Unicode arrows all break on some mobile renderers.
