> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.livepeer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Voice and Copy Standards

> Canonical voice and copy rules for all Livepeer documentation. Covers universal rules, per-audience voice extensions, banned words/phrases, and UK English requirements.

# Voice and Copy Standards

> These standards apply to every page in `v2/`. No exceptions.

***

## Language

**UK English throughout.** Use `-ise` (not `-ize`), `-our` (not `-or`), `-re` (not `-er`).

| Use                  | Not                |
| -------------------- | ------------------ |
| organise             | organize           |
| colour               | color              |
| centre               | center             |
| behaviour            | behavior           |
| licence (noun)       | license (noun)     |
| defence              | defense            |
| catalogue            | catalog            |
| programme (non-code) | program (non-code) |

***

## Universal rules

**Banned words** (remove, do not soften):
`effectively`, `essentially`, `basically`, `meaningful`, `significant`, `real` (as intensifier), `various`, `several`, `obviously`, `clearly`

**Banned phrases:**

* "This section covers" / "This page covers / explains / walks you through"
* "Understanding X is essential"
* "It is important to note"
* "As mentioned above"
* "and so on" / "etc."
* "rather than"
* "it should be noted"

**Banned constructions:**

* `not [X]` in value statements — state the positive instead
* `if [condition]` in body prose — resolve the condition
* `This page [verb]` — delete self-reference
* `can/may [verb]` in value claims — assert directly

**No em dashes.** Use commas, semicolons, or separate sentences.

**No questions in headings.** State the fact. "Configuring the gateway" not "How do I configure the gateway?"

***

## Opening order

1. Value or outcome before mechanism
2. Fact before caveat
3. Reader benefit before system description

***

## Paragraph discipline

One paragraph, one job. Lead sentence states the fact. Final sentence ends on fact, number, or next step — never a hedge.

***

## Per-audience voice extensions

Seven audiences, each with specific register and tone. Full detail in the working source.

| Audience       | Register                 | Key principle                                              |
| -------------- | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `gateway`      | Peer-to-peer technical   | Operator-to-operator. Assumes infrastructure competence    |
| `orchestrator` | Peer-to-peer technical   | Operator-to-operator. Lead with what the orchestrator gets |
| `developer`    | Professional engineering | Engineer-to-engineer. Show, don't explain basics           |
| `builder`      | Professional engineering | Focus on integration, not fundamentals                     |
| `delegator`    | Informed participant     | Empowering, not condescending. Numbers before narrative    |
| `community`    | Peer-to-community        | Accessible without dumbing down. Value through clarity     |
| `founder`      | Strategic executive      | High-level, outcome-oriented. Business impact first        |

**Working source with full per-audience rules:** `workspace/plan/active/CONTENT-WRITING/Prompts/voice-rules.md`
**Universal copy rules:** `ai-tools/ai-skills/docs-copy/skills/copy-rules.md`

***

## Domain terminology

| Use                         | Never                                      |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| LPT                         | "tokens", "crypto"                         |
| orchestrator                | "miner", "node" generically                |
| gateway                     | "API gateway"                              |
| active set                  | "top orchestrators"                        |
| reward cut / fee cut        | "commission"                               |
| probabilistic micropayments | "payments" generically                     |
| on-chain / off-chain        | payment MODE — never workload type         |
| dual                        | WORKLOAD config — not a payment type       |
| pool worker                 | Must be defined at first use on every page |