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Vale is a prose linter that checks text against repository-defined editorial style rules. CodeRabbit runs Vale version 3.17.1.

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Files

Vale runs on changed files with the following extensions:
  • .md
  • .markdown
  • .txt
CodeRabbit checks only regular files that still exist within the repository. It ignores files reached through symbolic links and paths outside the repository.

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Configuration

Vale is enabled by default. Enable or disable it with .coderabbit.yaml or the CodeRabbit web UI:
.coderabbit.yaml
CodeRabbit runs Vale only when one of these configuration files exists at the repository root:
  • .vale.ini
  • _vale.ini
  • vale.ini
  • .vale
  • _vale
When more than one is present, CodeRabbit uses the first file in the order shown above. Vale uses the checked-in styles and rules referenced by that configuration.

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Security policy and restrictions

Vale runs offline in the CodeRabbit sandbox with global configuration disabled. CodeRabbit does not run vale sync, so package declarations cannot download styles or other dependencies during a review. Configurations that set NLPEndpoint are not supported because the review sandbox does not allow Vale to contact external NLP services.

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When we skip Vale

CodeRabbit skips Vale when:
  • No changed .md, .markdown, or .txt files exist.
  • reviews.tools.vale.enabled is set to false.
  • No supported Vale configuration file exists at the repository root.
  • Vale is already running in the repository’s GitHub Actions workflows.

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Profile behavior

The Chill and Assertive review profiles do not change Vale’s rules. Vale uses the rules and alert levels defined by the repository’s configuration and styles.