Template Structure Issues
How to diagnose markdown-template structures that do not validate or do not render as expected.
How to debug a broken template structure
Report problems are usually literal structure problems. The fastest fix is to inspect the markdown AST the way the validator sees it.
Start from the exact heading, table, list, or reference structure the schema expects.
Match each block or inline node against the actual document shape.
Confirm table widths, heading order, and reference definitions are correct.
Update the authored template document so it satisfies the intended markdown contract.
Small structural errors create large render surprises.
Public Cuddler Template v1.0.0 validates markdown-compliant template JSON, not a binding language. That means most report issues are structural: wrong heading order, malformed tables, unresolved reference-style links, or content that falls outside the allowed markdown shape.
When a template document does not validate or renders unexpectedly, the fastest path is to inspect the authored markdown AST literally and compare it to the governing Template Schema. Small differences in heading levels, table widths, list item shapes, or reference identifiers are enough to make a report invalid.
Checks That Catch Most Problems
- Confirm the document starts with the required heading and section order.
- Confirm every table
alignarray matches the header cell count. - Confirm every table body row matches the header width.
- Confirm every reference-style link or image resolves to a matching
linkReferenceDefinition.
Common Mistakes
- Omitting a required heading or using the wrong heading level.
- Publishing a table with the wrong number of alignment entries.
- Using a reference-style link or image without a matching definition.
- Copying a section shape from a different document family without updating the schema.
Recommended Fix
- Compare the authored template JSON with the governing Template Schema side by side.
- Fix the smallest structural mismatch first, such as a heading, table, or reference definition.
- Validate again after the template structure is corrected.
