## 2. Workflow

### 2.1. Writing

The language is English (USA).

To edit XML files, use your preferred text editor (this guide's author prefers the free editor Kate). You must set the editor for:

- English-US language.

- Indent with 2 spaces (the Tab key must move pointer by two spaces).

- Replace tabs with spaces (for compatibility with all text editors and web browsers).

- 80 characters per line.

- Automatic spell checking with English (USA) for default language.

Source files are written in the XML language according to the DocBook DTD. DocBook specifications can be found at https://tdg.docbook.org/tdg/4.5/docbook.html.

Don't be afraid. We don't use all these items and you will learn XML progressively reading existing XML files. For new files, please use the templates you can find in the gimp-help/docs/templates folder.

| Note
If you write a new file, you must add it in the src/gimp.xml file, or in the XML file that calls it (for example, the src/menus/edit.xml file calls undo.xml, redo.xml, fade.xml, and so on).

Appendix B. How to Contribute |  | 2.2. Validating

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