---
title: template-definition-directive-malformed
description: Reports a malformed, inline, or unsupported presswork Template Directive.
---

[← All Rules](/rules/)

## What it does

Reports a `presswork:` comment in a Template that is not a supported standalone prompt or optional boundary with a lower-case identifier.

## Why it matters

Presswork must parse Template Directives unambiguously before it can validate completed documents or create Document Drafts.

## Examples

### Non-passing

```md title="docs/decisions/TEMPLATE.md"
# {{title}}

<!-- presswork:execute now -->
```

### Passing

```md title="docs/decisions/TEMPLATE.md"
# {{title}}

<!-- presswork:prompt-start summary -->

{{summary}}
<!-- presswork:prompt-end summary -->
```

## When it applies

This Rule belongs to the configurable `document-types` group. It evaluates repository Templates when Presswork loads their Document Type definitions.

## References

See [Presswork Configuration](/configuration/#documenttypes) for Templates and [`src/template.ts`](https://github.com/evilkiwi/presswork/blob/main/src/template.ts) for supported directives.